Steel crisis in Europe: ÖVP calls for urgent rescue measures!

Steel crisis in Europe: ÖVP calls for urgent rescue measures!

On April 2, 2025, Angelika Winzig, deputy head of delegation and business spokeswoman for the ÖVP in the European Parliament, commented on the serious situation of the steel industry in Europe. Loud Ots At the moment there is hardly any to minimalist growth, while the steel industry is fighting with strong technological competition and high energy costs. The geopolitical environment is also tense. Energy -intensive companies, especially in the steel industry, urgently need support to secure a future perspective for steel production in Europe.

In order to ensure the competitiveness of the sector, the EU Commission has presented a comprehensive action plan for the steel and metal industry, which is also viewed from the perspective of sustainability. The aim of this plan is to ensure safe and affordable energy supply and at the same time prevent the relocation of CO2 emissions. The plan promotes the use of electricity acceptance contracts (PPA) and plans long-term measures to protect the EU steel sector, as from Germany emerges.

Strategic measures of the EU

As part of the action plan, the European Commission in particular wants to strengthen and expand protective measures due to global overcapacity. The review and adaptation of the CO2 limit compensation mechanism (CBAM) should ensure that equal competitive conditions for European manufacturers and non-EU competitors are created. A legislative proposal for the expansion of CBAM to certain downstream products is expected by the end of 2025, as can be seen from the information of the Federal Environmental Office derived.

An important aspect is the proportion of energy costs to the production costs in the metal industry. The EU plans to speed up access to networks and to make energy taxes more flexible. These measures could significantly reduce the manufacturing costs and increase the competitiveness of the European steel industry.

The role of Voestalpine

An important company in this industry is Voestalpine that plans to introduce green electricity -operated electric laying stoves in Linz and Donawitz from 2027. These steps are part of a long -term vision that aims at emission -neutral steel production by 2050. By 2029, CO2 emissions are to be reduced by up to 30 percent compared to 2019, which corresponds to about five percent of total CO2 emissions in Austria.

Overall, the steel and metal industry in the EU directly and indirectly employs almost 2.6 million people and contributes around 80 billion euros to the EU's gross domestic product. The action plan is a result of a strategic dialogue and is seen as an important step into the future of European steel production.

The challenges are great, but with the right measures, the European steel industry could expand its competitiveness and at the same time reduce its ecological footprint. Future legal regulations for decarbonization and criteria for public procurements will certainly play a role in this transformation.