Kerstin Maria Rippel, Managing Director of the German Steel Federation, stated that the plan to protect the competitiveness of the EU steel industry and secure the transition to climate neutrality is a critical step in addressing major challenges in the sector.
Rippel stated: “The EU Commission has sent a clear signal to protect the competitiveness of the EU steel industry. The rapid response from the strategic dialogue with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen 14 days ago to the publication of the plan shows that Brussels recognizes the seriousness of the situation.”
Rippel underlined that the special value of the action plan emerges precisely in light of these challenges: “The trade policy proposals are a step in the right direction and make sense given the tightening of EU safeguards from 1 April 2025, increasing import pressure and the consequences of confrontational US trade policy. Further measures should now also be implemented without delay. These include the tightening of EU safeguards that expire in 2026, an effective instrument and long-awaited adjustments to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).”
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Trade Protection
Rippel also touched upon the regulations to be made regarding CBAM. Stating that CBAM aims to protect the energy-intensive steel sector in Europe from carbon leakage, Rippel noted that this mechanism should be extended to products in the downstream value chain. She also added that preventing the possibilities of entanglement is also of great importance.
Energy Costs and Low Emission Steel Markets
The Action Plan also addressed energy prices and pioneering markets for low-emission steel, Rippel stated, adding that more specification is needed on these issues. She emphasized that high energy costs are still a major challenge for the steel sector and that a concrete strategy for competitive energy prices is missing. She also called for more concrete steps to create markets for low-emission steel.
Call for Fast and Consistent Implementation
Rippel emphasized that a roadmap for the European steel industry to achieve competitive climate neutrality has been set, but it is vital that this roadmap is implemented quickly and consistently. Addressing decision-makers in Brussels, Berlin and the federal states, Rippel pointed out the danger of falling behind other regions.
While the Action Plan paves the way for important steps that will shape the future of the European steel industry, industry representatives expect concrete implementations to be realized rapidly.
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