German steel producers EAF are pushing for competitive electricity prices and stronger trade protections

German electric arc furnace steel producers (EAF) are stepping up calls for political action as energy costs, global import pressures and scrap metal availability issues increasingly threaten their competitiveness. The high-level meeting, organized by the German Federation of Steel Manufacturers (WV Stahl), brought together medium-sized member companies, the metalworkers' union IG Metall and senior industry representatives to assess current challenges on the electrical steel route and review progress in meeting commitments made at the Chancellor's steel summit on November 6, 2025.

Gunnar Grebler, President of WV Stahl, stressed that electric steel mills form the basis of a closed-loop economy and are central to Germany's decarbonization strategy. He warned that uncompetitive electricity prices, weakened demand and growing import pressures were undermining the sector. Without decisive political action, he said, investment plans, production sites and tens of thousands of jobs remain at risk.

The role of EDP steel production in Germany's industrial base

The production of electrical steel currently accounts for about 30 percent of total steel production in Germany and provides about 32,000 direct jobs. Maintaining this contribution requires significant investments in new technologies to achieve climate goals. However, manufacturers are simultaneously faced with high electricity and grid tariffs, low production levels, uncertain access to high-quality scrap, and increased