ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products and Gonvarri Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a view to closer co-operation on reducing CO2 emissions and strengthening their sustainability performance in the automotive market.

Gonvarri Industries, a leading flat steel processor with annual production of around 5Mt, is a major customer of ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products.

The MoU was signed by Gonvarri Industries' executive chairman Jon Riberas and ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products' CEO Yves Koeberle and focuses on the two companies working together on common sustainability projects, including the use of ArcelorMittal’s XCarb reduced and low-carbon products, as well as identifying ways to strengthen the circular economy within and beyond the manufacturing and purchase of steel products.

In 2020, Gonvarri Industries committed to reducing its Scope 1 CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030, as well as operating solely using renewable electricity, as part of a commitment to reducing Scope 2 emissions by 100% by 2030. The company has further committed to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Working with suppliers such as ArcelorMittal is part of the company’s strategy to accelerate the reduction in CO2 emissions, specifically Scope 3 emissions (indirect CO2 emissions produced in the company’s supply chain).

ArcelorMittal Europe aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 35% by 2030, and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. In 2021, the company launched XCarb®, an umbrella brand for all of its low and zero-carbon initiatives, including XCarb® green steel certificates, which can be purchased by customers to reduce their Scope 3 GHG emissions, and XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel made using a high proportion of steel scrap and 100% renewable electricity.

Jon Riberas, executive chairman of Gonvarri Industries, commented: “With this MoU signed today with our main supplier and partner, our companies create an enhanced framework to advance the decarbonization of our processes and those of our customers."

“With this MoU signed today with our main supplier and partner, our companies create an enhanced framework to advance the decarbonization of our processes and those of our customers."

Jon Riberas, executive chairman of Gonvarri Industries

Riberas said that his company has made a clear commitment with its stakeholders and society in general with a view to making its different sector activities and supply chains more sustainable, focused permanently engaged in adding value to its customers who themselves are pursuing their own decarbonization targets.

Speaking at the signing of the MoU in Madrid, Yves Koeberle, CEO ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, said: “Today is an important milestone day for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products; the signing of the agreement with our valued customer and partner Gonvarri, is the culmination of months of collaboration, with the objective of further reducing CO2 emissions and exploring every opportunity we have to strengthen the sustainability of our businesses. I would like to thank Gonvarri for their support and commitment to this project”.

Yves Koeberle, CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, commented: “Today is an important milestone day for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products; the signing of the agreement with our valued customer and partner Gonvarri, is the culmination of months of collaboration, with the objective of further reducing CO2 emissions and exploring every opportunity we have to strengthen the sustainability of our businesses. I would like to thank Gonvarri for their support and commitment to this project”.