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Is there a Future for Steel Industry? - "Is the use of steel set to persist?"
The air is charged with tension in Bremen as more than a thousand workers take to the streets in protest against ArcelorMittal's decision to halt "green steel" production. Steel construction welder Murat Develioglu spoke at the rally, expressing the collective frustration, "We've been fighting for decades to create favorable conditions for the steel industry. And we've been fighting for years for this company to commit to green steel. We haven't achieved either yet."
The Company's Move Seen as Betrayal
From IG Metall Bremen's business manager, Ute Buggeln's perspective, the conversion of Bremen's steelworks to green steel is unavoidable. "Green steel is our future, otherwise we won't survive. And now to say: We all have to wait and see - that's a betrayal." With over 3,500 employees working at the Bremen plant and 10,000 jobs in the region depending on it, the company's decision is causing anxiety.
"We've been fighting for years to create conditions under which the steel industry can produce competitively," said Buggeln, "and now we need to ensure we come up with a reasonable plan."
ArcelorMittal Turns Away from Green Future
Last week, ArcelorMittal announced it would abandon its plans to convert to "green" steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt, Brandenburg. This conversion involves switching from coal to hydrogen, produced from renewable energy sources like wind or solar power. The company's decision sees it forgo €1.3 billion in state funding.
This setback in industry transformation is concerning at both regional and federal levels. The steel industry is one of Germany's largest CO2 emitters, and its transformation is crucial in achieving climate goals. The steelworks currently accounts for half of Bremen's CO2 emissions.
Bovenschulte Calls for a Steel Summit
Mayor Andreas Bovenschulte of Bremen expressed disappointment and fury over ArcelorMittal's decision. Bovenschulte has been a long-standing advocate for the steelworks' green transition. He pledged that the Senate would not back down, stating, "Because steel has been produced in Bremen for 100 years, and for 100 years, the state government has stood by the employees' side, through good times and bad." Supporting Vice-Chancellor and Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil's (SPD) proposal for a steel summit, Bovenschulte urged, "We need a commitment - not just from Bremen's politics and not just from the Bremen site, but from German politics to the steel industry."
Works Council Wants a Plan for the Future
Works council chairman Mike Böhlken is skeptical about meetings that don't result in action. He emphasized, "I don't have time for events where people just shake hands and then leave, and nothing happens." The works council chairman insists on competitive electricity prices and sufficient hydrogen to revive the plans for green steel in Bremen. "We must continue to fight for this," said Böhlken, looking at the workforce, "Steel has a future!" he shouts. But a worker responds softly, "Yes, but not here."
- Bremen
- Steel
- Future
- Protests
- ArcelorMittal
- Green Steel
- IG Metall
- Frustration
- Andreas Bovenschulte
- Works Council
- Steel Summit
- ArcelorMittal's decision to abandon green steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt has caused frustration within the community, prompting protests.
- The steel industry, a significant contributor to finance and employment in Bremen, is facing a crucial transformation as the government works towards achieving energy-efficient, green steel production, a shift that ArcelorMittal has turned away from, leading to calls for a steel summit.
