PRESS STATEMENT Anyone who doesn’t believe in green steel is hastening the end of the steel industry in Germany

“Anyone who doesn’t believe in green steel is hastening the end of the steel industry in Germany—with devastating consequences far beyond the industry itself. We would lose tens of thousands of jobs and place ourselves in a dangerous position of dependence—primarily on China—for one of our most important raw materials. I invite the CDU chairman to visit a steel mill so I can explain to him the importance of green steel for industry and local jobs.

In the future, the industry must produce in a climate-friendly manner. This decision was made in Europe years ago, and companies across the country are working to implement it. Green steel is at the heart of this industrial transformation. Without green steel, there can be no energy transition and no genuine mobility transition. Tens of thousands of jobs depend on whether we succeed in producing green steel in Germany. That is why the green transformation of the steel industry is rightly being supported with millions in public funding—including from the CDU-led state government in North Rhine-Westphalia. Against this backdrop, the statement by the Union’s chancellor candidate is very troubling. We expect reliability from the federal government and the European Commission. Planning certainty is essential for companies.

On the issue of the availability of affordable hydrogen: We expect flexibility from German and European policymakers. We can already achieve an 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions if, as a first step, the new plants are initially operated with natural gas. Green hydrogen can then be used as soon as it becomes available at an affordable price.

IG Metall and steel mill workers have campaigned vigorously—and successfully—to ensure that investments are made here in Germany in the future technology of green steel production. We will continue to do so in the future. It is urgently necessary for Friedrich Merz to reconsider his position.”

Additional information and press photos of Jürgen Kerner