Crisis in the steel mill: ArcelorMittal Bremen fights despite productivity!

Crisis in the steel mill: ArcelorMittal Bremen fights despite productivity!

Bremen, Deutschland - in Bremen there is a tense situation in the Stahlwerk of ArcelorMittal. Despite a productive location and an attractive product mix, the work has been writing red numbers for two years now. The losses are attributed to the ongoing economic stagnation in Germany and a weak demand, as reported by the [Stern] (https://www.stern.de/gesellschaft/regional/niedersachsen-bremen/stahlwerk-in-kris-kelormittal-bremen-trotz-prodaet-mit-bahn-fahlen-fahlen-fahlen-fahlen-fahlt-fahlt-fahlt-fahlt-fahlt-s- figures. Economic Senator Kristina Vogt, however, described Arcelormittal Bremen as "highly profitable", which raises some question marks.

A central factor that burdens the situation of the steel mill are the increasing imports of cheap steel from non -European countries. This development exacerbates the competitive conditions for the Bremen production facility, which is in the competition for customers and prices. In addition, there are high and difficult to predict energy prices that further strain the cost structures. The lack of effective trade protection does not make the situation easier and causes unrest among the employees.

protests and uncertainty among employees

The worries are tangible: over 1,000 employees recently protested in front of the steel mill. The uncertainty about the economic future of the work has left unsettled faces. Ute Buggeln from IG Metall does not see the current situation as a direct threat to the jobs, but warns of long -term dangers. The suspension of the building of an electric layer stove could actually endanger the existence of the work and the jobs should not change the situation.

bugges urgently appeals to politics and companies to take responsibility for the transformation of the steel industry. In view of the plans to switch to climate -friendly production with "green" hydrogen and the absence of over one billion euros in government funding, the uncertainty is great. The decision to put these plans on hold for the time being has already caused displeasure in the workforce, according to the Buten un inland.

A look at the steel industry

The situation is not only tense in Bremen. Economist Rudolf Hickel, who is sitting on the Salzgitter Group on the supervisory board, emphasizes that no steel mill is currently writing black. Rather, the current situation is the result of a "multiple crisis": the demand for steel in Germany and Europe has decreased significantly in recent years, especially due to problems in the auto industry and a restraint in the construction industry. The challenges from subsidized cheap steel from Asia are also not to be neglected.

Current figures on raw steel production in Germany speak: In May 2025 there was a decline of 6.4% compared to the previous year. Production was around 3 million tons. Over the entire year 2024, production remained less than 40 million tons and shows that the industry is at the level of recession. The situation is also worrying and the challenges are also concerned.

FAZIT: The steel workers in Bremen are facing uncertain times, and it is clear that both politics and industry have to work hand in hand to secure the future of the work and thus also that of the over 3,000 employees. The conversations about better framework conditions for sustainable steel production in Europe will be crucial to counteract the downward trend.