Proposal sought for a directive safeguarding workers from electronic equipment-related risks, as per Commission's instructions
In a bid to drive the green transformation of the steel industry, a significant steel summit was held in Germany, emphasizing the importance of nationwide industrial policy coordination. The event, hosted by Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte, is part of broader efforts in Europe to align industrial policy, technological innovation, and climate goals in steel production.
The summit, which brought together industry experts, policymakers, and financiers, served as a pivotal platform for exchanging knowledge on green steel technologies, policy frameworks such as the EU Green Deal and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), renewable energy, green hydrogen, carbon capture, and smart manufacturing. The ultimate goal was to foster cooperation that supports the EU’s climate targets and the sustainable transformation of the global steel industry.
One of the key highlights was the strategic update from Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, which underscored the urgent need for decarbonization. Thyssenkrupp outlined an ambitious plan to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 via the construction of Germany's largest direct reduction plant in Duisburg, replacing coal-based blast furnaces with hydrogen-ready technology, with a full goal of climate-neutral steel by 2045. This transformation requires a multi-channel hydrogen sourcing strategy and strong policy support, especially concerning hydrogen infrastructure and pricing.
The summit recognized that successful transformation hinges on nationwide coordination of industrial policies, energy infrastructure development, financial investment, and innovation in green steel technologies. The volatile and complex current market environment (described as VUCA: volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity) adds urgency to proactive, integrated policy measures and industry collaboration to achieve climate goals and maintain competitiveness.
Meanwhile, in Bremen, Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte expressed concern over the decision by Arcelor-Mittal to suspend the planned switch to hydrogen-based steel production, which he believes endangers jobs and industrial expertise in the region. He called for a joint effort by politics, business, and society to invest in people, good work, and future technologies, emphasizing the need for a nationwide industrial policy coordination.
Despite the difficult budget situation in Bremen, Mayor Bovenschulte announced that funds will be provided to strengthen social labor market programs, qualifications, and skilled worker security. He also reiterated his call for a nationwide steel summit, which he believes is crucial to securing the industrial future of the country.
In conclusion, the steel summit in Germany exemplifies a concentrated effort to coordinate industrial policy at the national level to drive the steel industry's green transformation, balancing climate ambitions with economic and technological realities. This aligns with Europe's broader strategy to lead in green steel production and sustainable industrial development.
- The steel summit in Germany, focused on green transformation, emphasized the necessity for nationwide policy coordination, especially in areas such as industrial policy, technological innovation, and finance, with an aim to support the EU’s climate targets and the global steel industry's sustainable transformation.
- Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe presented a strategic update at the summit, outlining their ambitious plan to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 through the construction of Germany's largest direct reduction plant and replacing coal-based blast furnaces with hydrogen-ready technology. The transformation necessitates a multichannel hydrogen sourcing strategy and strong policy support, especially in regards to hydrogen infrastructure and pricing.
- Recognizing the volatility and complexity of the current market environment, the event highlighted the need for proactive, integrated policy measures and industry collaboration to achieve climate goals and maintain competitiveness in the aerospace and general-news sectors.
- Outside the summit, Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte expressed concern over Arcelor-Mittal's decision to suspend the scheduled switch to hydrogen-based steel production and called for a joint effort between politics, business, and society to invest in jobs, industrial expertise, and future technologies.
- In particular, Mayor Bovenschulte announced funds would be allocated in Bremen to strengthen social labor market programs, qualifications, and skilled worker security, while maintaining his call for a nationwide steel summit to secure the industrial future of the country, aligning with Europe's broader strategy to lead in green steel production and sustainable industrial development.
