Germany’s largest steelmaker, thyssenkrupp Steel, has withdrawn from the German Steel Association (WV Stahl), which traditionally represents national steelmakers’ interests.
Thyssenkrupp Steel has terminated its membership, effective 31 December, it tells Kallanish.
“Given the current economic challenges, we recognise our responsibility to use our resources as efficiently as possible,” the company says. “This applies to both the time invested by our personnel and the costs of membership. This decision explicitly does not represent a departure from industry-wide dialogue on political issues of common interest and we will continue to support the WV Stahl’s positions on key industrial policy matters.”
“As Germany’s largest steel producer, our company is aware of its special responsibility and will continue to engage in a committed and focused dialogue with policymakers, regulators, and market partners,” it adds.
“We regret this decision, especially given that thyssenkrupp Steel is actively involved in the association’s work during these challenging times,” WV Stahl notes.
This comes amid preparations for Germany’s national steel summit, which Chancellor Friedrich Merz will hold on 6 November in Berlin, to find ways to overcome the industry’s crisis.
Last month, thyssenkrupp Steel temporarily shut down blast furnace No.9 at its Duisburg-Brückhausen site (see Kallanish passim). The company attributed this decision to weak demand for steel in Europe and increasing pressure from imported products, which negatively impacts the competitiveness of local production. The firm has appointed Marie Jaroni its new chief executive, effective 1 November.
The company is in intensive negotiations with Jindal Steel International regarding its steelmaking business. The Indian group is prepared to invest over €2 billion ($2.29 billion) in the development of electric furnaces and the completion of a green steel production project in Duisburg.
Svetoslav Abrossimov Bulgaria
