Steel crisis in Bremen: Klingbeil demands summit for green solutions!

Steel crisis in Bremen: Klingbeil demands summit for green solutions!

Bremen, Deutschland - On June 21, 2025, the steelworks in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt are faced with an uncertain future. Lars Klingbeil, the SPD chairman, calls for solutions after Arcelormittal has officially announced to give up plans for climate-neutral production in both cities. The withdrawal of the company is due to an unfavorable market Situation and doubts about the profitability of a CO2-reduced steel production, such as the Reporting of Buten explained.

"It is crucial that we secure the industrial workplaces in Germany," emphasizes Klingbeil at the recent state party conference of the SPD in Cottbus. Together with Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke, he is looking for the dialogue with Dirk Vogeler, the works council chairman of ArcelorMittal in Eisenhüttenstadt. While the situation is described as less threatening there, the situation in Bremen is alarming.

A summit on the future of the steel sector

To master the challenges, Klingbeil demands a steel summit. "We have to bring all relevant players to one table," he says, expressing his questions about the design of funding programs and transitional options. The Federal Ministry of Economics also regretted the decision of ArcelorMittal and points out that no state funds have yet flowed for the project. ArcelorMittal was originally supposed to receive almost 1.3 billion euros in funding for the changeover, of which 250 million euros should come from Bremen.

The decision has far -reaching consequences: the Bremen Senate reacts disappointed and even speaks of a "cancellation of the decarbonization of the huts". For the steel industry, which is one of the largest CO2 emitters in Germany, this is a serious risk, especially with regard to the climate goals of the European Union, which are aiming for CO2 neutrality by 2050

The challenges of the green steel

ArcelorMittal mentions the high risks and the unclear availability of green hydrogen as central reasons for the withdrawal. In view of an increasing demand for climate -neutral products, especially in the automotive industry, the turn to green steel is more important than ever. However, the steel industry is dependent on the provision of sustainable raw materials in order to act as a key industry in environmental protection.

In the meantime, other companies such as Voestalpine have taken on the topic. These rely on innovative technologies and automated processes to make production more efficient and environmentally friendly. Projects such as "H2FUTURE" show what future concepts for steel production can look like, but could only be implemented on a large scale if there are also sufficient amounts of green hydrogen.

The current development not only leaves questions about the economic load capacity of steel projects, but also on the strategic direction of the industry in the future. In this tense environment, it is crucial that politicians take all the necessary steps to support the transformation and thus protect jobs and climate.