We wanted to show that green steel is possible in Germany

This was our mission statement when we started at ArcelorMittal Hamburg—with courage, passion, and a genuine desire to launch a pilot project for CO₂-free steel production. The film “Herr Braun und der grüne Stahl” (available in the ARD media library) tells this story – with all its energy and enthusiasm, but also with the disappointments that come with breaking new technical ground.

I very much regret that there has been no progress on the project to build the direct reduction pilot plant. It was and is a courageous piece of future-oriented work that has taught us a lot – about technology, about team spirit, and about the limits of what companies can shoulder alone.

Specifically, we are calling for:

▪️ the implementation of trade policy protection mechanisms (protective tariffs) to prevent distortions of competition.

▪️an efficient Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) – as genuine protection against imports from regions without CO₂ costs.

▪️Predictable and competitive energy prices.

▪️The introduction of lead markets for green steel – public procurement and quotas or other targeted promotion of the use of CO₂-reduced steel in various industries to make sustainable production economically viable.

Progress needs a framework, not just willpower

We have the expertise, the people, and the technology. But without fair competition and a coordinated industrial policy in Europe, the transition to green steel will remain nothing more than lip service.

Even Hamburg's referendum with the goal of becoming climate neutral by 2040 will remain little more than lip service if politicians do not finally establish the framework conditions that allow investments to be implemented in an economically viable manner.

I invite you to watch the film. It shows what is at stake – and why it is worth continuing to fight.

“Herr Braun und der grüne Stahl” (Mr. Braun and green steel) – now available in the ARD media library.

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Photo: ArcelorMittal