The European steel industry is at the forefront of technical innovation, investing billions of euros a year in research and development. Its innovations have helped the sector refine its processes, create thousands of different grades of steel, and remain at the forefront of CO2 reduction efforts.
The European steel sectors' focus on constant improvement is centred on improving steels and upon improving how steel is made.
The European steel sector has created thousands of new grades of steel, many only invented in the past few decades. These widen the potential uses for steel, and improves its durability and sustainability.
Improving how steel is made is vital to the sustainability of the sector. European producers have already made great strides, cutting in half energy use and emissions since 1960. This work is being even further ramped up as the need to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions becomes ever more imperative.
Brussels, 22 March 2024 – The future of a strong and resilient EU can only be forged with steel made in Europe. Europe-made low-carbon steel has a strategic role as it enables a net-zero economy, but today it faces strong headwinds from high energy prices, unfair competition, global overcapacity and growing unilateral carbon costs. The year 2023 has recorded the lowest European crude steel production levels ever, with a number of idled plants and dire impact on workers. Ensuring the enabling conditions for the short-term viability and the decarbonisation of the steel sector urgently needs to be at the top of the EU agenda. This is the message delivered by the European Steel Association together with a number of high-level representatives of the sector on the occasion of the Clean Transition Dialogue on Steel in the presence of the Executive Vice Presidents of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič and Margrethe Vestager.
European Industry Summit: a business case for Europe, under the auspices of the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU - There is an urgent need for clarity, predictability, and confidence in Europe and its industrial policy
Antwerp, 20 February 2024 – Today 73 industry leaders spanning almost 20 industrial sectors presented ‘The Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal’ to Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo and Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. The declaration underlines the commitment of industry to Europe and its transformation and outlines urgent industry needs to make Europe competitive, resilient, and sustainable in the face of dire economic conditions.