Thyssenkrupp pulls out of German steel fair over virus concerns

German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp has cancelled the group’s attendance at major industry fair Wire & Tube in Germany amid unknown developments of the pandemic and infection risks, the company said Sept. 8.

The event is due to be held Dec. 7-11 in Düsseldorf after already been postponed from March when the pandemic started to hit Germany.

“The cancellation is a reaction to the unforeseeable further development of the corona pandemic and the infection risks associated with it. Thyssenkrupp is foregoing the face-to-face event to protect customers and employees,” the company said in a statement.

Thyssenkrupp’s cancellation comes amid market chatter at major European mills pondering whether to pull out of this year’s trade show in order to save costs after being hit with cash flow problems and general concerns over travel restrictions and safety.

After the postponement of the Euroblech fair to 2021, the Wire & Tube is set to become the only major industry event planned in Europe in 2020.

Wire & Tube organizer Messe Düsseldorf has not responded to S&P Global Platts’ request for comment on whether the event will go ahead as planned in December.

The fair is held every two years and is one of the major trade shows in Europe for the flat and long steel industry. In 2018, the Wire & Tube fair attracted more than 71,000 visitors.

— Laura Varriale