“The European steel industry is currently in crisis, with a level of demand and steel prices reaching a historic low. This context explains ArcelorMittal‘s decision to postpone its investment in the decarbonization of the Dunkirk site, which is currently not operating not at full capacity,” said Marc Ferracci, in a statement sent to AFP.
According to the newspaper l’Usine Nouvelle which revealed the information on Saturday, “the group is now requesting measures to protect European steel from the European Commission before making any investment of this type in Europe.” Contacted by AFP, ArcelorMittal did not immediately react.
Emblematic of this industry’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, the ArcelorMittal project in Dunkirk was costed at 1.8 billion euros, including state aid of up to 850 million euros. This involves building two electric furnaces and a direct iron reduction unit, the first step in producing carbon-free steel. The Minister Delegate assured that “the French State is working, particularly with other European countries, to re-establish fair rules in the face of international competition”.
“Black scenario”
Gaëtan Lecocq, general secretary of the CGT at Arcelor Dunkerque and elected to the Dunkirk CSE, spoke of “a dark scenario”, without being able to confirm the management’s possible plans. “With the commitments linked to COP21, we must reduce our CO2 emissions by a third by 2030. If we do not keep these commitments, in the best case scenario, Arcelor will eliminate the entire cast iron sector, which represents half of the factory (…). The most pessimistic scenario, which we fear, is the closure of the factory”, declared the trade unionist to AFP.
Read alsoLegislative elections 2024: in Dunkirk, massive reindustrialization does not prevent the victory of the RN
Arcelor Dunkerque is “the largest blast furnace in Europe, 3,200 direct permanent contracts, between 8,000 and 9,000 counting indirect jobs. One in five Dunkirk families works directly or indirectly for ArcelorMittal,” he insisted.
“For the moment, we are putting pressure on politicians to act, we are not going to let ourselves die like that (…) we are the first metallurgy union in France, we know how to fight. that the announcements will come, we will be ready,” he promised.
**Given the concerns raised by the CGT regarding potential job losses, what concrete steps can ArcelorMittal and government authorities take to ensure a just transition for workers at the Dunkirk site in the face of industry-wide transformation?**
## Interview: The Future of ArcelorMittal Dunkirk
**Guests:**
* **Marc Ferracci:** CEO of ArcelorMittal France
* **Gaëtan Lecocq:** General Secretary of the CGT at Arcelor Dunkerque
**Moderator:** Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re discussing the future of the ArcelorMittal steel plant in Dunkirk, France, amidst a crisis facing the European steel industry. We’re joined by Mr. Marc Ferracci, CEO of ArcelorMittal France, and Mr. Gaëtan Lecocq, General Secretary of the CGT at Arcelor Dunkerque. Thank you both for joining us.
**Section 1: The Current Crisis**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Ferracci, your company recently announced the postponement of a significant investment in decarbonization at the Dunkirk site. Could you elaborate on the reasons behind this decision, given the critical need for sustainable solutions in the steel industry?
* **Moderator:** Mr. Lecocq, the CGT has expressed concerns about the potential impact on employment at the Dunkirk site. Can you expand on these concerns and the potential consequences of ArcelorMittal’s decision for the workforce and the local community?
**Section 2: The Call for Protectionist Measures**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Ferracci, ArcelorMittal has reportedly called for measures from the European Commission to protect European steel from international competition. What specific measures are you advocating for, and how do you believe they would address the challenges faced by the European steel industry?
* **Moderator:** Mr. Lecocq, what is the CGT’s stance on the potential for protectionist measures? Do you believe they represent a viable solution to the industry’s woes, or are there alternative approaches that should be prioritized?
**Section 3: Long-Term Vision & Sustainable Steel Production**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Ferracci, despite the current challenges, ArcelorMittal remains committed to the development of sustainable steel production. How do you envision the future of the Dunkirk site in this context, and what strategies will be implemented to ensure its long-term viability?
* **Moderator:** Mr. Lecocq, how can the workforce at ArcelorMittal Dunkirk be best involved in shaping the sustainable future of the plant? What role do you see for unions in ensuring a just transition to a greener steel industry?
**Section 4: Stakeholder Collaboration & Government Support**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Ferracci, how crucial is government support in fostering the transition to sustainable steel production? What specific measures would you like to see from local and national authorities?
* **Moderator:** Mr. Lecocq, what level of collaboration exists between ArcelorMittal, the CGT, and local government authorities in addressing the challenges facing the Dunkirk site?
**Moderator:** To both of our guests, thank you for sharing your insights on this pressing issue. The future of the ArcelorMittal Dunkirk site holds significant implications for workers, the local community, and the European steel industry as a whole. We appreciate your contributions to this important discussion.
