At a time when large parts of Europe’s steel value chain are under increasing pressure, European Staal is pursuing a different path, centred on industrial recovery, reinvestment and long-term development within Europe.
Around a year and a half ago Belgian investor Amaury Hellssen took over several former subsidiaries of the Russian Mechel Group located in Belgium, Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic and Germany. According to a press release issued by the company, the first months following the acquisition were marked by significant operational and structural challenges inherited from the former ownership.
Thanks to sustained efforts by the management teams across the group’s subsidiaries, combined with strong commitment from employees, European Staal progressively stabilised its operations. In 2025, the group succeeded in restoring its market position, and the current year is expected to mark its return to profitability.
For Amaury Hellssen, however, financial recovery alone is not the end goal. “My objective is not simply to make the various entities of my group profitable,” he explains, “but rather to implement innovative, environmentally responsible solutions to ensure the future of the companies I have acquired.”
In line with this ambition, European Staal has already invested in modern, high-quality equipment designed to reduce energy intensity and improve operational efficiency. At the same time, the group is assessing options to improve the environmental performance of its industrial sites. As Hellssen notes, “we have already invested in less energy-intensive equipment, and we are also exploring how to make our buildings more eco-friendly.”
The group is also expanding the range of solutions offered to its customers. Through the integration of Technochim, a newly acquired subsidiary specialised in surface coating technologies, European Staal will soon be able to deliver higher value-added finished products. These solutions are expected to serve demanding sectors such as luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, automotive and chemicals.
Looking ahead, European Staal’s development strategy continues to evolve. Negotiations are currently underway for the acquisition of an additional company in Austria, which would further complement the group’s service offering. In parallel, the group intends to rely heavily on its partnership with Technochim to develop new areas of activity in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. “The story will not end here,” Hellssen emphasises. “We are already preparing the next steps and I look forward to reviewing where we stand in a year’s time.”
Source: europeanstaal.eu
