At the flat steel sites in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt, the multi-billion euro conversion process to climate-neutral steel has been halted. This step was justified by the current difficult market situation and the lack of profitability of CO2-reduced steel production.

Stahlwerk Thüringen has been operating without a blast furnace for 30 years: we have been melting scrap metal instead of iron ore in an electric arc furnace since 1995. Therefore, we are one step ahead in the green transformation and are already saving 80 per cent of CO2 compared to the blast furnace process.

Alexander Stier, Head of Sales & Logistics and authorised signatory, says: “We have been pursuing the SWT Green Steel Strategy since 2021 and remain true to our vision of being able to produce climate-neutral steel from 2040. This also includes replacing natural gas in the production process with climate-neutral hydrogen. For example, in the reheating furnace of the rolling mill and in flame-cutting processes. The technical preparations for this have already begun.”

A Thuringian consortium is currently working on a project to make gas pipelines hydrogen-compatible and build new pipelines to supply Thuringian industry with green energy. The first connection points have already been realised and others are being planned. There are also plans to build five electrolysers and an underground intermediate storage facility for hydrogen in the Unstrut-Hainich district. We remain confident that a hydrogen network will be installed in Thuringia in the medium term and that hydrogen will be available in sufficient quantities at marketable prices.

Stahlwerk Thüringen will press ahead with its transformation towards the production of climate-neutral steel as planned, but requires more favourable conditions. Better framework conditions are needed for the transformation projects in order to remain competitive, including lower energy prices and affordable electricity from renewable sources. This is a political challenge.

Steel that carries confidence.