European Steel Association Elects New President
05/19/2014 - EUROFER members have elected Robrecht Himpe, executive vice president of ArcelorMittal Europe as the new EUROFER president.
Former EUROFER president Wolfgang Eder commented: “The global competitiveness of the steel industry against the combined challenges of climate, energy and trade policies has moved to the center stage of the steel industry leaders´ attention. We have successfully made our concerns and positions publicly visible and put EUROFER at the center of this debate. The European Commission and Member States have started to react to EUROFER warnings about skyrocketing energy prices. The recent adoption of the State Aid Guidelines EEAG and the proposals for the Climate and Energy Framework 2030 to reduce energy costs are welcomed and very much needed.”
In the coming years EUROFER expects growth in Europe of 2 to 3 percent, a more modest rate compared with the global outlook. EUROFER expects European automotive and machinery markets to begin to grow in 2014 for the first time in several years and EUROFER expects demand in construction, which accounts for up to 40 percent of developed steel demand to improve as confidence recovers.
EUROFER’s new president, Robrecht Himpe said: “Europe needs an industrial policy that delivers a win-win situation for the EU economy - the European Commission’s 2030 energy and climate plan alone will not support much-needed economic growth. Having already significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, the EU steel industry is ready to play its part in helping to further reduce CO2 emissions, in line with the Commission’s 2030 energy and climate plan. Looking ahead, realistic targets should now be set for the foundation industries including the steel industry, in common with other emissions trading systems around the world. The EU steel industry can further reduce emissions beyond what it has already achieved, provided significant technological investments are made. This investment requires improving economic conditions that will come with higher steel demand and manufacturing growth, which in turn requires a global level playing field for trade. A realistic energy and climate plan, together with an industrial policy and fairer trade policies, should create a framework that encourages Europe’s economic growth in a number of different ways, not in a “one size fits all” way as the energy and climate plan currently proposes.”
According to the results of a 2013 study from BCG, “Steel’s contribution to a low carbon Europe 2050”, the steel industry was identified as having the potential to further reduce CO2 emissions by a maximum of 15%, provided significant investments are made in the newest technologies available to the industry.
EUROFER director general Gordon Moffat commented: “This recent call for action will hopefully result in real actions in the June meeting of the Council of Ministers. We need solutions, without a further shortage of allowances, with lower energy prices and a new energy mix, which secures energy supply at any time.”
Represented by EUROFER, the European steel industry represents the world leader in its sector, producing on average 170 million metric tons of steel per year with direct employment of 350,000 highly skilled people. More than 500 steel production and processing sites in 24 EU member states provide direct and indirect employment for millions of European citizens.
In the coming years EUROFER expects growth in Europe of 2 to 3 percent, a more modest rate compared with the global outlook. EUROFER expects European automotive and machinery markets to begin to grow in 2014 for the first time in several years and EUROFER expects demand in construction, which accounts for up to 40 percent of developed steel demand to improve as confidence recovers.
EUROFER’s new president, Robrecht Himpe said: “Europe needs an industrial policy that delivers a win-win situation for the EU economy - the European Commission’s 2030 energy and climate plan alone will not support much-needed economic growth. Having already significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, the EU steel industry is ready to play its part in helping to further reduce CO2 emissions, in line with the Commission’s 2030 energy and climate plan. Looking ahead, realistic targets should now be set for the foundation industries including the steel industry, in common with other emissions trading systems around the world. The EU steel industry can further reduce emissions beyond what it has already achieved, provided significant technological investments are made. This investment requires improving economic conditions that will come with higher steel demand and manufacturing growth, which in turn requires a global level playing field for trade. A realistic energy and climate plan, together with an industrial policy and fairer trade policies, should create a framework that encourages Europe’s economic growth in a number of different ways, not in a “one size fits all” way as the energy and climate plan currently proposes.”
According to the results of a 2013 study from BCG, “Steel’s contribution to a low carbon Europe 2050”, the steel industry was identified as having the potential to further reduce CO2 emissions by a maximum of 15%, provided significant investments are made in the newest technologies available to the industry.
EUROFER director general Gordon Moffat commented: “This recent call for action will hopefully result in real actions in the June meeting of the Council of Ministers. We need solutions, without a further shortage of allowances, with lower energy prices and a new energy mix, which secures energy supply at any time.”
Represented by EUROFER, the European steel industry represents the world leader in its sector, producing on average 170 million metric tons of steel per year with direct employment of 350,000 highly skilled people. More than 500 steel production and processing sites in 24 EU member states provide direct and indirect employment for millions of European citizens.
