Innovation in processes and products offers opportunities: ArcelorMittal recently signed a financing agreement for the sum of 350 million euros with the European Investment Bank (EIB) that will help to fund the Group’s European research and development programme over the period 2017-2020. The aim is to promote products with high added value, to make manufacturing processes more competitive and to further develop low-carbon-emission technologies.
With the "Steel in modern construction" initiative, ArcelorMittal is also setting new standards this year to continue strengthening the application of steel in modern building construction. Shorter construction times, low energy consumption and low CO2-emissions, strong re-usability and high recycling rates make steel an extremely environmentally-friendly material.
"We are well positioned in Germany. We are continually working to improve costs and invest in our production sites," explains Frank Schulz, CEO of ArcelorMittal Germany at the German media day of the Group in Düsseldorf. Since 2010, the Group has invested more than 800 million euros in Germany. This year, blast furnace no. 2 in Bremen will be relined for 44 million euros. "We remain optimistic about the further recovery of steel demand in Europe and Germany. We need political framework conditions that allow us to create fair conditions for competition, especially in international trade and EU emissions trading, so that we can concentrate on our real mission: to supply our customers with innovative steel products. As the EU institutions begin their trialogue process to discuss the ETS legislation in the coming weeks, we remind them that a fundamental reform of the emissions trading system is needed to avoid high additional costs, which will deprive us of investment and innovation, and which pose a serious threat to our production sites."
As part of Industry 4.0, ArcelorMittal is developing concepts and solutions for the future. Internet-based solutions and mobile apps improve customer interaction and optimize the service offer. An example is the Track & Trace app for steel products, which gives customers an overview on their steel products in real-time: from production to delivery. In addition, the possibilities of industrial digitalisation not only increase work safety, but also strengthen the efficiency in products, processes and maintenance.
