🏭🇫🇷 ArcelorMittal announces €1.3 billion electric furnace investment in Dunkirk

Oneliner

ArcelorMittal has announced a €1.3 billion investment to build a new electric arc furnace at its Dunkirk plant, set to begin operations by 2029. This facility aims to reduce CO2 emissions by two-thirds compared to traditional methods. The project is supported by state funding and energy savings certificates, but has faced criticism from unions for lacking social conditions and being delayed. The investment is seen as crucial for the future of low-emission steel production in Europe.

Key points

• ArcelorMittal plans to invest €1.3 billion in a new electric arc furnace in Dunkirk by 2029.
• The project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by two-thirds compared to traditional blast furnaces.
• The investment is backed by state support and energy savings certificates, covering 50% of costs.
• Unions criticize the investment for lacking social conditions and being delayed.

Links

• BFMTV: Trop peu, trop tard? Arcelormittal avec Emmanuel Macron lance à Dunkerque un méga-investissement de 1,3 milliard d'euros pour diviser par 3 ses émissions de CO2
• Reuters: ArcelorMittal to build lower-emission electric furnace at Dunkirk
• Franceinfo: A Dunkerque, ArcelorMittal confirme la construction de son plus gros four électrique en Europe en présence d'Emmanuel Macron

Facts

• Investment amount: €1.3 billion.
• New electric arc furnace capacity: 2 million tonnes of steel per year.
• Projected CO2 emissions reduction: two-thirds compared to blast furnaces.
• Funding structure: 50% from ArcelorMittal, 50% from energy savings certificates.

Quotes

• This investment underlines our group’s long-term commitment in France — Aditya Mittal
• How can one boast about investments in decarbonisation when they are two years late? — CFDT Union

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