"Thousands of Jobs at Risk" - IG Metall Demands Steel Summit Over ArcelorMittal's Climate-Neutral Decision
Steel giant ArcelorMittal dismissed proposals for climate-neutral manufacturing; IG Metall advocates for a steel industry conference.
Hop on social media, share this shocker, or forward it via WhatsApp, Email, or print it out - IG Metall isn't holding back their criticism towards steel corporation ArcelorMittal. Jürgen Kerner, the Second Chairman of the union, has lambasted the company's decision not to transition their plants in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt towards more eco-friendly production. He stated, "This decision is strategically short-sighted, commercially unwise, and, given its impact on employees and society as a whole, incredibly irresponsible."
The transformation of the steel industry towards a climate-neutral future is a century-long endeavor with the fate of thousands of jobs in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt hanging in the balance. Employees have agreed to this green transition, governments are providing billions in funding, and the cost of electricity is on the right track. However, it's ArcelorMittal's management that seems to be having second thoughts, according to Kerner. The federal government must immediately convene an emergency summit for the steel industry.
ArcelorMittal has decided against transitioning to "green" steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt, which would see them shift away from coal as an energy source towards hydrogen produced from renewable sources like wind or solar power. This move means forgoing 1.3 billion euros in state funding, even with subsidies, as ArcelorMittal claims the project isn't economically viable.
This decision represents a setback for the industrial transformation, especially since the steel industry is one of Germany’s largest carbon emitters and plays a crucial role in achieving climate goals. IG Metall Vice-Chairman Kerner called for immediate and substantial support for the steel industry. "It's unacceptable that France is creating factual change through politically subsidized industrial electricity while Germany is struggling to find Europe-compliant solutions," he said. Kerner further emphasized steel as a top priority for Germany.
Enrichment Insights:
- IG Metall is seeking a crisis summit to secure the future of the German steel industry, given ArcelorMittal's decision to pause or abandon plans for climate-neutral production.
- IG Metall views the withdrawal as a sign that broader framework conditions—such as electricity prices, support for the hydrogen economy, and governmental policy—need urgent attention.
- The transition to a climate-neutral steel industry is required for long-term competitiveness and meeting climate objectives, according to IG Metall.
- IG Metall advocate for immediate policy changes to address the climate-neutral decision by ArcelorMittal, highlighting the vital role of the steel industry in achieving Germany's climate goals.
- The transformation of the steel industry towards a climate-neutral future is essential, as it not only impacts thousands of jobs but also plays a pivotal role in environmental-science and climate-change mitigation efforts.
- The halt in ArcelorMittal's plans for vocational training in green steel production could have severe repercussions for the industry, prompting IG Metall to call for substantial policy-and-legislation support.
- IG Metall urges the federal government to prioritize the steel industry, stressing that the sector should not miss out on the opportunities presented by the shift towards green technologies, especially given the financial incentives available in the form of state funding.
- The ongoing shift towards a climate-neutral steel industry, driven by advancements in energy, science, and vocational training, needs governmental policy intervention to ensure industry competitiveness and compliance with European standards.
