Shock for Bremen: ArcelorMittal stops green steel production!
Shock for Bremen: ArcelorMittal stops green steel production!
The future of steel production in Bremen is on the brink. Arcelormittal recently stopped the plans for decarbonizing his flat steel works in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt. The reason for this defeat are economic challenges and an unsatisfactory market situation that question the profitability of a low-CO₂ steel production, such as t-online.de . The state subsidy of 1.3 billion euros originally intended for the renovation is not called up, which also burdens the plans.
A contract with the Federal Government provided for construction to start by June 2025. In view of these requirements, the Bremen Senate is disappointed with the company's decision. Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte described the cancellation as a severe blow to the Bremen business location and the concerned. In addition, Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke pushes the need for job protection.
The plans for decarbonization
The plans originally provided for the use of innovative technologies such as direct reduction systems with hydrogen and electric laying stoves. These technologies should help reduce their own CO₂ emissions significantly. But despite the ambitious approaches, hydrogen in Germany remains expensive and scarce, while the high electricity prices in international comparison represent additional challenges, such as the reporting of European Investment Bank illustrated.ArcelorMittal continues to plan to install electric lighting stoves in order to be prepared for future economic opportunities, but the conditions for this are difficult. Low electricity prices and sufficient availability of hydrogen are crucial. In Dunkirk, France, the company sees better conditions, which is why a new electric layer stove is to be developed there.
A look back at state funding
The matter is also complicated by approval by the European Commission, which was financed by aid of 1.3 billion euros, partly from the building and resilience facility, for which decarbonization of steel production had approved. This measure was considered necessary to promote the production of green steel at the Bremen location and in Eisenhüttenstadt, which is of great importance both ecologically and economically. Among other things, new direct reduction systems and electric laying stoves that were to go into operation in 2026 and targeted an annual production of 3.8 million tons of green raw steel, such as
It remains to be seen how the situation develops and whether ArcelorMittal can ultimately get the curve to meet the requirements for CO₂ reduction. In times of change, it is of essential importance that technology and economic framework conditions keep pace to achieve the climate goals by 2030.
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| Ort | Bremen, Deutschland |
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