Global steel giant ArcelorMittal welcomed a number of high-profile guests to its steel plant in Ghent, Belgium yesterday.
Hosted by ArcelorMittal Europe's CEO Geert Van Poelvoorde, the company discussed the state of the steel industry in Europe with Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s executive vice-president for a clean, just and competitive transition and Stéphane Séjourné, executive vice-president for prosperity and industrial strategy. We were also delighted to welcome the Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele , the Mayor of Gent Mathias De Clercq, alderman Sofie Bracke and a number of other guests.
Together with other steelmakers in Europe, in recent months ArcelorMittal has spoken out on a number of issues that are profoundly affecting its ability to competitively produce steel in Europe today: a record high in steel imports, driven by significant global overcapacity and weak trade defence; high energy costs; and climate policy that does not, it claims, currently provide the level playing field needed, at a time when there is a need to invest significant capital into decarbonizing steelmaking assets.