ArcelorMittal stops Klimaplan: Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt!

ArcelorMittal stops Klimaplan: Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt!

Bremen, Deutschland - In a surprising turn, ArcelorMittal Europe has set its plans for decarbonizing steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt. The economic pressure, especially due to high electricity prices and the insufficient availability of green hydrogen, forced the project to the knee. Instead of the hoped-for investments in CO2-reduced steel production, the existing technologies are now being placed without taking advantage of the agreed state funding measures of 1.3 billion euros, such as Maschinenmarkt.vogel.de The construction of direct reduction systems that were supposed to use hydrogen, as well as modern electric layer sheets, were planned. These measures could have laid the basis for more environmentally friendly production. The Bremen Senate is disappointed in view of the decision of Arcelormittal and refers to the 250 million euros already provided for the conversion of the steel mill.

regulations for climate goals

This turn could not only have far -reaching consequences for the company itself, but also for the entire German steel industry. "We warn of a step back in climate goals and endangered employment," said IG Metall. CEO Reiner Blaschek from Arcelormittal emphasized that the existing framework conditions did not allow a sustainable business model. The construction previously granted until June 2025 is therefore obsolete with this decision, as is engenieur.de.

The competitive environment remains tense. In contrast to ArcelorMittal, other companies such as Thyssenkrupp and Salzgitter continue their own decarbonization plans. Thyssenkrupp, for example, invests around 3 billion euros in CO2-reducing measures and plans the commissioning of its new facilities by 2030. The success of these projects shows that there are also alternatives in the German steel sector. This could have a serious effect on the plans of Arcelormittal, since the steel industry is responsible for around 6-7% of industrial CO₂ emissions in Germany, added by bdew.de.

where is the hydrogen?

A central problem remains the availability and costs of green hydrogen, which currently difficult to change steel production. Carinthian rustic could be said that "the water becomes more expensive than gold" if you consider the need for renewable energies to manufacture the hydrogen. Without a solid and affordable infrastructure, it will be almost impossible for companies to implement the necessary investments. Stadtwerke and suppliers are also in demand to ensure the necessary network infrastructure.

The lack of planned support can lead to projects in the field of steel production to stall. ArcelorMittal therefore continues to pursue the option of building electric laying stoves in countries with cheaper electricity prices, while the plans in their own country, as in Dunkirken, already adopt concrete forms. The situation raises the question of how Germany wants to achieve its own climate goals if more and more companies are refraining from their investment plans.

Overall, it is clear that the steel industry faces major challenges. The withdrawal of ArcelorMittal could have far -reaching consequences and require a rethink in the German steel industry. A stronger cooperation between politics and business could be the key here to create planning security and to secure the urgently needed investments in the future of steel production.