ArcelorMittal, one of the world's leading steel producers, is celebrating a significant milestone in its Polish operations. Twenty years ago, Mittal Steel acquired Polskie Huty Stali, marking the beginning of a transformative journey for the Polish steel industry. Over the past two decades, ArcelorMittal has invested heavily in modernizing and improving its Polish facilities, resulting in impressive achievements and technological advancements.
The company's investments have led to the creation of Europe's most modern hot rolling mill in Kraków and a state-of-the-art heavy section mill in Dąbrowa Górnicza, capable of producing 120-meter-long rails. These improvements have not only enhanced production capabilities but also significantly reduced the environmental impact of steelmaking operations in Poland. Carbon dioxide emissions have been cut by 42%, dust emissions by 90%, and energy consumption by 40%, demonstrating ArcelorMittal's commitment to sustainable steel production.
Despite these achievements, the European steel industry, including ArcelorMittal's Polish operations, faces significant challenges. Geert Van Poelvoorde, CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe, addressed these concerns during the 20th-anniversary celebrations in Sosnowiec, Poland. He highlighted the intense pressure on European steelmakers due to high production costs and the influx of subsidized, cheap imports flooding the market. Van Poelvoorde warned that without appropriate support and policies, the European steel industry would continue to shrink.
The ArcelorMittal Europe CEO called for urgent action from both the Polish government and the European Union. With Poland set to hold the Presidency of the European Council in the first half of 2025, Van Poelvoorde emphasized the critical role the country could play in shaping the future of European steel. He stressed the importance of finalizing the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism legislation, which will be crucial in determining European steelmakers' ability to remain competitive while investing in decarbonization efforts.
Van Poelvoorde expressed cautious optimism about recent developments in European politics, particularly the proposed appointment of Stephane Séjourné as Commissioner for Prosperity and Industrial Policy. The inclusion of a steel and metals action plan in Séjourné's mission is unprecedented and could potentially provide much-needed support for the industry. However, Van Poelvoorde emphasized that these proposals remain aspirational and called for concrete, faster action to safeguard the European steel industry against current threats.
The ArcelorMittal Europe CEO also addressed the broader geopolitical context affecting the steel industry. He noted the rise of protectionism worldwide and the increasing pressure on the global order, urging Europe to define its future role clearly. Van Poelvoorde argued that maintaining Europe's status as an economic powerhouse is impossible without a strong industry, particularly a robust steel sector. He emphasized that decarbonization should not come at the cost of de-industrialization, as this would be detrimental not only to Europe but also to global climate efforts.
