Emissions Markets for Industrials

Industrials in sectors like steel, cement, refining and chemicals face high compliance demands under the EU ETS and UK ETS. Grey Epoch helps operators manage carbon allowances efficiently, with tailored strategies that cut costs, improve cash flow and reduce market risk, ensuring compliance while protecting competitiveness.

Trade allowances

Gain access to EUAs (EU Allowances) and UKAs (UK Allowances) across compliance periods with flexible trading sizes and delivery schedules.

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Competitive pricing

Cost-efficient solutions to support your business needs: Forward Procurement, Price-Cap, Spot Trading, and Cash-Flow Optimisation.

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Expert advice

Leverage our expertise in emission markets, surrender strategies, and regulatory updates to maintain smooth compliance and avoid penalties.

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Industries

Since the first years of operation, the EU ETS covers energy-intensive industries, including:

  • Steel and metals

  • Cement and lime

  • Chemicals and refining

  • Pulp and paper

  • Glass and ceramics

  • Other industries with installations >20MWh

Get your carbon allowances in two days

  • Step 1

    Introductory call

    Schedule an introductory call to discuss your needs. Receive a personalised overview of suitable solutions and a transparent fee structure.

  • Step 2

    Onboarding & documentation

    Submit the required documentation and complete the onboarding process, typically finalised in two business days.

  • Step 3

    Start trading

    Execute your emissions trades with Grey Epoch.

Get in touch

Compliance Solutions for Industrials

To help industrials manage their ETS exposure efficiently, Grey Epoch Europe offers access to procurement and hedging solutions, while providing comprehensive support in navigating the emissions landscape.

Manage price volatility

Reduce exposure to market fluctuations with a fixed price.

Fix now, pay later

Defer the bulk of the fixed price for up to three years with a forward transaction.

Budget certainty

Secure your profits by locking in the price.

Most popular

Forward Purchase

Forward buying in the EU ETS involves agreeing to buy EU allowances at a future date to lock in prices now without a large upfront payment.

Price Cap

A price cap provides a level of price certainty while still exposing you to price movements up to the value of the cap.

This allows you to set the maximum price you will pay for allowances, with no minimum price required.

Direct Procurement

Direct procurement is the simplest solution. You buy allowances for payment and delivery within five business days.

Direct procurement can be done throughout the year. Buying early, ahead of emitting activities, provides price certainty.

Cash Flow Optimisation

With our deferred payment solutions, you can lock in carbon allowance prices today and schedule delivery and payment at a later date.

This gives you the flexibility to meet compliance needs without tying up capital upfront.

Enquire now

Take the Next Step

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Optimise your industrial emissions management and ensure compliance deadlines are met with confidence.

Contact Grey Epoch today to learn more about our services and how we can help you navigate the regulatory landscape.

Speak with an expert

  • 40%

    typical savings in trading fees

  • 1bn

    carbon products traded annually

  • 2nd

    largest ETS trader globally

  • 18yrs

    active in carbon markets

 FAQs

 

  • EU ETS Phases 1 & 2 (2005–2012 / 2013–2020):
    Covered energy-intensive industries, including:

    • Steel and metals

    • Cement and lime

    • Chemicals and refining

    • Pulp and paper

    • Glass and ceramics

    • Other installations with thermal capacity >20 MW

    EU ETS Phases 3 & 4 (2013–2030):

    • Continued coverage of the same industrial sectors

    • Adjusted allocation rules, benchmarks, and phased reductions in free allowances

    ETS 2 (starting 2027):

    • Expands the system to fuel distributors for buildings and road transport

    • Introduces new compliance obligations for sectors outside traditional energy-intensive industries

  • The EU will review ETS rules in 2026, changes may affect free allocation, overall supply, expansion of the ETS scope, and compliance obligations.

  • Free allocations under the EU ETS are being gradually reduced during Phase 4 (2021–2030) with minimal or no free allowances by 2034 for most sectors.

    The reduction accelerates as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is introduced.

  • If you have extra EUAs you don’t need immediately, you can:

    • Sell them on the market to generate cash, or

    • Hold them for future compliance.

    Grey Epoch can help monetise surplus EUAs through competitive market access and create opportunities for periodically recurring income from excess holdings.

  • Yes, you can use your EUAs as collateral to access financing, typically at attractive rates (2–5%), without selling your allowances.

    Grey Epoch provides tailored solutions to unlock capital from your EUAs while keeping them available for compliance deadlines.

  • One popular method is using forward contracts: buying now for future delivery and payment means you fix the price now, with the bulk of the payment and delivery at a date further into the future. This allows you to fix the price, without the full upfront costs.

    Additionally, can also enter into bespoke risk management structures with Grey Epoch that protect you from prices rising above a certain level.

  • Industrial companies can use several approaches to manage allowance purchases and control compliance costs with Grey Epoch:

    • Spot purchases – buying allowances at the current market price for immediate delivery.

    • Forward contracts – agreeing now on a price for delivery in the future, protecting against possible price rises.

    • Limit orders – setting a maximum or minimum price you are willing to pay so purchases only happen within your set budget.

    • Bespoke orders  - Grey Epoch can design custom procurement structures and strategies that fits your specific needs, from reducing volatility and optimising cash flows to lowering costs and generating income.

  • Operators failing to surrender sufficient allowances face a penalty of €100 per tonne of CO₂ emissions not covered, plus liability to purchase the missing allowances retrospectively.

  • For the EU ETS, you must complete the following key tasks every year:

    • 1 January: Start of the monitoring year.

    • 31 March: Submit verified emissions report for the previous year.

    • 30 September: Surrender the required allowances for the previous year.