ArcelorMittal Poland, part of the global steel giant ArcelorMittal, has made a significant leadership change with the appointment of Wojciech Koszuta as chairman of the board. Koszuta takes over from Sanjay Samaddar, who held the position for many years and played a pivotal role in AMP's operations during his tenure. While Samaddar steps down as chairman, he will continue his leadership in the company as supervisory board chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe Long Products. This leadership transition comes at a critical juncture for AMP, as it continues its efforts to modernize and decarbonize its production processes while navigating a challenging market.
Koszuta, who has been with ArcelorMittal Poland since 2000, has previously served as CEO for 18 months. His extensive experience at AMP, including his current leadership as CEO, positions him well to guide the company through its next phase of strategic growth. Koszuta’s appointment is seen as a move to ensure continuity at the helm while bringing fresh leadership to drive AMP's long-term sustainability goals.
Sanjay Samaddar’s tenure as chairman of ArcelorMittal Poland spanned over two decades, and his contributions have been integral to the development of the steel industry in Poland. Under Samaddar’s leadership, AMP faced significant challenges, including economic crises and fluctuating market conditions. Despite these hurdles, Samaddar helped steer the company towards becoming one of the key players in the Polish steel sector. His leadership was not limited to corporate strategy but also focused on building AMP’s reputation as a strong and resilient producer of steel in the region.
Reflecting on his long career with the company, Samaddar said, "I am exceptionally privileged to have been associated with ArcelorMittal Poland for 20 glorious years, in various roles as CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors. The 20 years jubilee, which we celebrated this year, was a perfect opportunity for summing up these two decades, during which we have tried to play a leading role in the development of the steel industry in Poland, despite crises and challenging market situations."
Under his leadership, AMP has managed to navigate several economic cycles, keeping its operations stable while advancing technological innovations and contributing to the growth of Poland’s steel industry. His shift to supervisory board chairman ensures that his expertise will continue to benefit the company in a strategic oversight capacity.
As Koszuta steps into his new role as chairman, he faces the dual challenges of modernizing the company’s operations and preparing for the future of the steel industry, which is increasingly influenced by environmental sustainability. One of the most pressing issues that Koszuta will need to address is the company’s path to decarbonization. The steel industry is a major emitter of carbon dioxide, and reducing these emissions is becoming a significant regulatory and market priority.
At the European Economic Congress in May 2024, Koszuta discussed AMP’s ongoing efforts to transition to greener production processes. Specifically, he highlighted the company’s investments in its blast furnace based production route, which has long been the backbone of the steelmaking process at AMP. However, Koszuta acknowledged that decarbonization will be a driving force in the medium term, requiring significant investment and innovation to reduce the carbon footprint of AMP’s operations.
AMP is already moving towards a more sustainable future by investing in a natural gas-based hydrogen plant at its Krakow re-rolling site, which will be used to supply hydrogen to the plant’s two galvanizing lines. This plant, costing approximately PLN 100 million (about $24.2 million), is being developed in partnership with the industrial gas company Linde. The hydrogen production facility is expected to begin operations in 2026, marking a significant step towards greener steelmaking. The plant will play a critical role in reducing AMP’s reliance on conventional energy sources and help lower the company’s carbon emissions in line with global environmental targets.
Additionally, AMP’s flagship Dabrowa Gornicza steelworks, which supplies the Krakow plant with steel slabs, is facing a pivotal decision in its future operations. The plant must decide whether to transition to electric arc furnace steelmaking or continue with its traditional blast furnace-based method. This decision will play a crucial role in AMP’s overall decarbonization strategy and its ability to adapt to future market demands.
Despite these advancements, AMP is also contending with external challenges that are affecting the steel industry across Europe. Global competition, particularly from countries like China, continues to pressure European steelmakers. The flooding of cheaper steel imports, especially from Asia, has forced many European producers to reconsider their pricing structures and operational strategies. This phenomenon has been exacerbated by rising energy costs and logistics challenges in the region, which have made it harder for domestic producers to maintain competitive prices.
Moreover, AMP and other steelmakers in Europe are under increasing pressure to meet regulatory requirements related to carbon emissions. The European Union has set ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions, and the steel industry, as one of the largest industrial emitters, is a focal point in these efforts. The shift to more sustainable steel production methods is not only necessary for regulatory compliance but is also critical to maintaining AMP’s long-term competitiveness.
Koszuta’s appointment as chairman of ArcelorMittal Poland marks the beginning of a new era for the company, one that will be focused on sustainability, innovation, and global competitiveness. Under his leadership, AMP is expected to continue investing in cutting-edge technologies that can reduce its environmental impact while maintaining its leadership role in Poland’s steel industry.
As Koszuta leads AMP through this transition, he will need to balance the company’s legacy of industrial success with the growing demand for environmentally responsible production methods. The coming years will be pivotal for the company as it strives to remain a leading player in both the Polish and European steel markets, adapting to regulatory changes and market conditions while continuing to drive forward the decarbonization agenda in the steel industry.
In conclusion, ArcelorMittal Poland is at a crossroads, with new leadership and a strong commitment to sustainability. As the company prepares for the future, its ability to adapt to the changing market and technological demands will be crucial for its continued success in the steel industry.
