At ArcelorMittal, the decarbonization of steel production is a central topic for the future - there are also concrete plans for the transformation of the plant at the Duisburg site in order to produce climate-neutral production by 2030. Public funding, competitive energy prices and the accelerated development of an infrastructure for the use of green electricity are urgently needed to implement the project.
Almost two years ago, the company submitted funding applications to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), which must be approved by the European Commission. To date, there has been no commitment to support the project, which requires a complete change in manufacturing technology. The BMWK is currently revising the previous funding program in order to get the green light from Brussels on the basis of the new funding program.
Mona Neubaur, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Economy, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy in North Rhine-Westphalia, visited the site to discuss the next steps with those responsible and to learn more about the transformation plans.
“We have a clear goal in mind to make our production climate-neutral for the future. But in order for us to stick to our schedule, we now urgently need a commitment to financial support as well as the economic framework to implement our plan,” explains Lutz Bandusch, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of ArcelorMittal Europe - Long Products.
On the occasion of the minister's visit, the works council and IG Metall organized a rally with employees on the factory premises.
“In order to secure the future of our plant’s employees, immediate action must be taken. Other steel manufacturers have already received commitments for their projects, now it's our turn. It’s high time!” emphasizes Wolfgang Kleber, chairman of the works council at the plant where ArcelorMittal employs more than 900 people.
“The climate-neutral transformation is of central importance for a sustainable and competitive industrial location in North Rhine-Westphalia. The steel industry is a key sector and ArcelorMittal is an important part of it. The committed employees here in Duisburg urgently demand a clear future perspective - and they deserve it. We appeal to the Federal Ministry of Economics and the European Union to implement the announced successor program as quickly as possible and are committed to ensuring that ArcelorMittal's transformation projects at the Duisburg site are taken into account at the federal level. In order to create secure framework conditions for necessary investments in the climate-neutral transition, the state government is also resolutely committed to a temporary bridge electricity price and faster planning and approval procedures," said Economics and Climate Protection Minister Mona Neubaur.
