ArcelorMittal stops green steel: Bremen plan big protests!

ArcelorMittal stops green steel: Bremen plan big protests!

Bremen, Deutschland - The announcement of ArcelorMittal to put plans for environmentally friendly steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt on hold ensures outrage and concern in the region. According to Stern.de Metal, sharply criticized. He described them as strategically short -sighted and irresponsible what the support of politics would testify for the necessary transformation in the steel industry.

The Federal Ministry of Economics also expressed its regret about the decision and pointed out that no funding of 1.3 billion euros has yet been flowed for decentralized steel production. These funds were intended as support for the conversion of the production facilities, which should be converted by 2030 as part of a decarbonization strategy. Instead of advanced technologies, ArcelorMittal is now planning to install new stoves in countries with more favorable power supply, such as Dunkirk in France

background to the decision

The decision of ArcelorMittal is based on the current market situation and associated doubts about the profitability of a CO2-reduced steel production. Jürgen Kerner spoke of the company's “small -minded tact” and called for a crisis summit for the steel industry. The Bremen Senate was concerned and disappointed and spoke of "canceling the decarbonization of the huts". IG Metall Bremen sees the decision as a serious threat to the future of the Bremen work, while the works council canceled its planned company meetings and instead organized a rally to which Bremen's Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) is also expected.

Like the Zeit , the steel industry is one of the largest CO2 emitter in Germany. Therefore, she plays a key role in the country's climate goals. However, lack of availability of green hydrogen, exorbitant electricity prices in Germany and also general uncertainties in market development are strongly concerned with the companies. Arcelormittal has decided to do without government funding, which also complicated the conversion for Bremen.

The reactions from politics

political reactions are clearly evident and underline concern about the strategic decisions of ArcelorMittal. Ines Schwerdtner, the head of the left, called for a national steel strategy to better secure the industry in difficult times. The AfD parliamentary group in the Brandenburg state parliament, on the other hand, supports the company's decision and calls for a change of course for the Eisenhüttenstadt location.

with an overall project of 2.5 billion euros, of which 1.3 billion euros were intended for Bremen production, Arcelormittal wanted to build a direct reduction system that was to work with natural gas and later green hydrogen. However, the current framework conditions, according to CEO Geert van Poelvoorde, do not allow a sustainable business model, which in line with the transformation of steel production.

The news about the stop of the decarbonization plans in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt throw a shadow for the region's hopes and employees. Steel production could thus be endangered in its previous form, while pressure on the entire industry is increasing. The necessity of a sustainable solution is becoming increasingly pressing, especially in view of the massive challenges that the steel industry must master in the next few years.