- Carbon costs weaken steel export competitiveness
- Trade measures could restore 15 mnt production
Geert Van Poelvoorde, Chairman of the Board of ArcelorMittal Europe Steel and President of the European Steel Association (Eurofer), on 1 October called on EU authorities to strengthen the international competitiveness of European steel, particularly low-CO2 steel, to help the region regain lost export markets.
The EU’s new trade measures introduced in July were welcomed by Poelvoorde, who described them as “an important foundation against global oversupply.” According to Eurofer estimates, the measures could reduce imports and potentially support the restoration of around 15 million tonnes (mnt) of annual steel production in Europe.
Meanwhile, he pointed out that steel exports from the EU to third countries declined by 20% in the first half of 2026. “Europe cannot rely solely on its own market. European steel manufacturers face carbon costs that foreign competitors do not have,” he said, calling for improved competitive conditions in overseas markets. He also argued that the review of the EU-ETS (Emissions Trading System) and the withdrawal of free quotas should be significantly slowed.
Mr. Poelvoorde has overseen ArcelorMittal’s European operations since 2021 as one of the company’s top executives. Although he stepped down as an executive officer at the end of July, he is expected to continue his activities at Eurofer as Chairman of ArcelorMittal Europe Steel.
Henrik Adam, former Chairman of Tata Steel Netherlands and president of the German Steel Association, succeeded Poelvoorde as Eurofer president and has been serving as Director General of the World Steel Association (worldsteel) since October.
Note: This article is published as part of a content exchange agreement between Japan Metal Daily and BigMint.
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