Thyssenkrupp Steel withdraws from WV Stahl, Thyssenkrupp AG still to decide
In a major shake-up for the German steel sector, Thyssenkrupp Steel, the country’s largest producer, has officially terminated its membership of the German Steel Federation Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl (WV Stahl) to be effective from December 31, 2026, according to a media report by German newspaper The Pioneer.
The withdrawal reflects not only financial strain but also a strategic recalibration, as the company seeks to use personnel and financial resources more efficiently during ongoing restructuring.
The sources stated that they do not believe that the company’s withdrawal during talks with Indian investor Jindal is a coincidence. Thyssenkrupp AG is engaged in negotiations with Jindal Steel International, regarding the potential sale of its steelmaking business Thyssenkrupp Steel, as SteelOrbis previously reported.
The move comes at a time when Germany’s steel industry faces mounting economic pressure, with rising energy costs, foreign competition and uncertain government support. The loss of its biggest member marks a severe blow to WV Stahl’s standing as the unified political voice of the industry.
Thyssenkrupp’s decision underscores growing divisions within Germany’s struggling steel industry. Tekin Nasikkol, chairman of the General Works Council at ThyssenKrupp Steel, described the current environment as “catastrophic.”
According to Thyssenkrupp, the decision “does not mean a departure from industry-wide cooperation”, adding that it continues to back WV Stahl’s positions on trade protection, energy pricing and clean-steel development. Additionally, Thyssenkrupp AG – the parent company – is evaluating whether to follow its steel subsidiary and also leave the association.
Germany’s crude steel production decreased by 13.7% in July
According to data released by the German Steel Federation (Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl), the pressure on steel production in Germany persisted in July 2025. The country’s total crude steel output declined by 13.7% compared to the same month last year, falling to approximately 2.72 million tons.
A significant part of this decline was driven by reduced output via the blast furnace–converter route (BOF/oxygen steelmaking). Oxygen steel production dropped by 19.6% in July, falling to just below 1.9 million tons.
In contrast, electric arc furnace (EAF) production, which relies on scrap and electricity, showed a slight increase. EAF-based crude steel output rose by 4% to reach 0.82 million tons. However, this increase is seen as a limited recovery, as it came from a low base.
Pig iron production also dropped sharply in July, decreasing by 18.3% to 1.74 million tons. Meanwhile, production of hot-rolled steel products declined by 4.9% to 2.47 million tons.
Looking at the first seven months of 2025, Germany’s total crude steel output decreased by 12.1% year-on-year to 19.83 million tons. During this period, BOF-based steel production decreased by 16% to 13.34 million tons, while EAF-based production decreased by 2.8% to 6.49 million tons. Pig iron production declined by 15% to 12.38 million tons, and hot-rolled steel output decreased by 7.8% to 17.75 million tons.
German crude steel output down 11.9 percent in Jan-Apr
In April this year, Germany’s crude steel output went down by 10.1 percent year on year to 2.95 million metric tons, according to the information provided by the German Steel Federation Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl (WV Stahl).
In the first four months of this year, crude steel production in Germany declined by 11.9 percent year on year to 11.45 million mt.
In the given month, Germany’s pig iron output amounted to 1.86 million mt, down by 11.2 percent, while in the January-April period it decreased by 14.6 percent to 7.18 million mt, both on year-on-year basis.
In April, the country’s hot rolled steel output fell by 8.6 percent year on year to 2.49 million mt, while dropping by 10.4 percent to 10.13 million mt in the first four months this year, both compared to the same periods of the previous year.
Gunnar Groebler new president of Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl (WV Stahl)
The German Steel Federation (WV Stahl) has elected Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter AG, as its new honorary president. He replaces Bernhard Osburg, who has resigned from the position.
Groebler expressed his commitment to preserving the competitiveness of the German steel industry and ensuring its future viability, especially in light of the current challenging market conditions. Osburg thanked the WV Stahl team for their support and wished Groebler success in his new role.
“I thank the Board of WV Stahl for their trust and look forward to shaping the future of the German steel industry in this role. Bernhard Osburg has done important and energetic work and provided valuable impetus under the currently extremely difficult market conditions. My task now is to do everything I can to preserve the acute competitiveness of our industry and to advance its future viability,” said Gunnar Groebler.
Bernhard Osburg on his departure: “It has been an honor for me to represent the steel industry in Germany as president of WV Stahl. I have been passionate about this industry for 25 years and the association is a political interest group that is focused on our pressing issues and does not need any distractions. I thank the entire WV Stahl team for their professional support during my tenure and the management for the excellent cooperation. I wish Gunnar Groebler every success and a happy hand in his new task.”