ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG and the District Government of Düsseldorf have signed an agreement to reduce particulate air pollution in the north of Duisburg. The agreement was prompted by the District Government’s requirement to draw up an action plan. This links up with the Air Pollution Control Plan of Fall 2004 and is aimed at achieving a fast reduction in particulate air pollution (PM 10).

Under the agreement, Düsseldorf District Government and ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG have agreed to a long-term, planned approach to air pollution control policy in the north of Duisburg. This also includes further joint research over the term of the agreement into the effectiveness of the measures and improving knowledge of the causes of particulate air pollution.

“This agreement underlines the proactive and responsible way we are dealing with the particulate pollution problem, but we also expect reliability and moderation on the part of politicians. Our company has now taken a further step to improve living and working conditions in the north of Duisburg on a sustainable basis,” said Dr. Karl-Ulrich Köhler, Executive Board Chairman of ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG, after signing the agreement. He sees the agreement as a continuation of the successful collaboration which began with the agreement to reduce dust emissions in April 2001. Under that agreement, over €60 million has been invested in dust reduction measures.

The agreement now signed with ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG, which also applies to other ThyssenKrupp Group companies, includes an extensive program of measures to be implemented in the short term. These include more intensive cleaning of plant roads and traffic areas, additional greening of bare land areas, increased care in the transportation of dust-producing goods and improved environmental management, among others. The program announced by ThyssenKrupp Stahl in April 2005 has also been integrated into the agreement.

Alongside these 23 short-term measures, the agreement provides for the inclusion of another 18 dust reduction measures by ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG and other Group companies in the continuing air pollution control plan, which will be implemented by Fall 2007. Extensive investment is planned in sprinkler facilities, tire washing facilities for trucks and improvements to dust collection equipment.

The District Government also sees an important contribution to air pollution control in the building of the new Blast Furnace No. 8 and the emissions barrier on Kaiser-Wilhelm-Strasse in Duisburg-Bruckhausen.

The particulate problem in the north of Duisburg is a result of a complex situation marked by a very high regional background level of particulates from road traffic and other local sources. The Düsseldorf District Government and ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG recognize they have a joint responsibility in working toward a reduced level of particulate emissions. As the company is only partly involved in the particulate emissions in the north of Duisburg, it cannot bring about compliance with emissions standards on its own. A coordinated strategy by all involved parties is called for, which must also include active urban development measures.

The new agreement ends on December 31, 2007.