ArcelorMittal claims it remains committed to decarbonizing its operations in France. The company is working closely with the French Government, whose leadership has been key in the defence of the steel industry in France and Europe.
According to ArcelorMittal, it is now well understood that the European steel industry is facing its worst crisis since the financial crisis in 2009. "This has led ArcelorMittal to delay its European decarbonization projects," the company said.
However, ArcelorMittal believes that the European Commission’s Steel and Metal Action Plan, announced in March 2025, provides optimism that the European Commission will implement efficient trade defence and carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) soon.
"The revised steel safeguard measures that entered into effect on April 1st, 2025, are a first step in the right direction," the company has said, adding that the 'European steel industry now requires effective limitation of imports at 15% of market demand as well as an effective CBAM that notably prevents resource shuffling". If this happens, ArcelorMittal believes it would restore a level playing field on the European steel market.
ArcelorMittal further claims it is confident that all the conditions will be in place, soon after the summer, to be able to relaunch its decarbonization plan and, as such, confirms its intention to invest in a first electric arc furnace (EAF) in Dunkirk. This EAF will require an investment of approximately €1.2 billion.
This, together with the recent investments announced (€254 million in Dunkirk and €53 million in Fos) and the new electric steels production unit under construction in Mardyck, which is set to complete by end of this year (at a €500 million investment), totals €2 billion of investment and demonstrates ArcelorMittal’s intention to maintain a thriving and sustainable steelmaking business in France.