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Try the Free AI Search EngineGerman Steel Market: Decarbonization Delays & Plant Activity Shifts Impact Supply
ArcelorMittal’s decision to halt DRI-EAF projects in Bremen and Eisenhuttenstadt, Germany, as reported in “ArcelorMittal halts DRI-EAF projects in the EU” and “Keine Umstellung: Arcelor Mittal streicht Pläne für grünen Stahl zusammen“, signals a significant shift in the German steel market. These decisions, driven by unfavorable market conditions and high energy prices, impact planned green steel production. While these articles highlight broader strategic shifts, a direct, immediate link to the monthly activity trends, as captured by satellite observation, for the ArcelorMittal plants could not be established with the given data.
The mean steel plant activity in Germany increased steadily from 15% in December 2024 to a peak of 36% in May 2025, followed by a drop to 27% in June 2025. Benteler Steel Tube Lingen plant consistently operated well above the German mean, reaching a high of 76% in June 2025. ESF Elbe Stahlwerke Feralpi Riesa plant activity increased significantly from 15% in January 2025 to 59% in June 2025. Kehler Baden Steel Works showed relatively stable activity, fluctuating between 34% and 39%.
Benteler Steel Tube Lingen plant, located in Lower Saxony, focuses on semi-finished and finished rolled products like tubes, billets, and slabs using an EAF with a crude steel capacity of 650 ktpa. The plant’s activity has consistently been far above the national average, climbing to 76% in June 2025. There is no direct connection that can be established between this high-activity and the news articles provided.
ESF Elbe Stahlwerke Feralpi Riesa plant in Saxony produces semi-finished and finished rolled products, including billets, rods, wire rods, and wire mesh, with an EAF-based capacity of 1400 ktpa. The plant exhibited a substantial increase in activity, rising from 15% in January 2025 to 59% in June 2025, significantly exceeding the mean activity in Germany. There is no direct connection that can be established between this rising activity and the news articles provided.
Kehler Baden Steel Works in Baden-Württemberg utilizes two EAFs to produce 2500 ktpa of crude steel, specializing in wire rod, bar, rebar, and billet for the building and infrastructure sector. The plant’s activity levels remained relatively stable, ranging between 34% and 39%, indicating consistent production. There is no direct connection that can be established between the stable activity level and the news articles provided.
The ArcelorMittal decision, documented in “ArcelorMittal halts DRI-EAF projects in the EU,” reduces planned future capacity of green steel production, however, this decision cannot be directly linked to observed plant activity levels from the given data.
Procurement Action: Steel buyers should anticipate potential price increases for “green steel” as future planned capacity is reduced. It is recommended to secure medium- to long-term contracts with existing suppliers, outside of ArcelorMittal’s German operations, and diversify supply chains to mitigate future supply risks. Closely monitor further announcements from ArcelorMittal regarding its European decarbonization strategy.