The European Steel Association (EUROFER) has announced that it has elected Geert Van Poelvoorde, Chairman of the Board of ArcelorMittal Europe Steel, as its new president, who will take office on October 1.
Taking office comes against a backdrop of increasing fragmentation of global trade and reduced access to traditional export markets, Mr. Van Poelvoorde stated that strengthening domestic markets across the steel value chain, reliable access to export markets and a strong industrial base will be essential to achieve EU competitiveness and strategic objectives. autonomy.
According to EUROFER, steel exports from the EU to third countries decreased by 20% in the first half of 2026, while steel production in the EU fell to a historic low of 125.8 million tons in 2025 and decreased by another one percent year-on-year in the first five months of the current year 2026.
Production potential of 15 million tons of steel production восстановится
Van Pelvoorde noted the new EU steel trade measures, which came into force on July 1, as an important tool to address the problem of overcapacity in the world. EUROFER estimates that this measure could create conditions for the resumption of steel production in Europe by about 15 million tons per year. He said that some capacities have already begun to recover, despite the continued weak demand. спрос.
The new EUROFER President said that the EU should now focus on improving investment conditions, stimulating demand for products manufactured in Europe, and ensuring the competitiveness of European steel producers both domestically and internationally.
Van Pelvoorde calls for ETS adjustment in ЕС
Van Pelvoorde also stressed the need to adjust the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS) to support further investment in climate-resilient steel production, along with competitive energy prices and strengthening European production value chains.
Regarding exports, he said that Europe cannot rely solely on its domestic market, and called for measures to allow European steel, especially low-carbon steel, to remain internationally competitive. According to Van Poelvoorde, the upcoming revision of the ETS should provide a structural solution for exports, while the phasing out of free benefits should be significantly slowed down until the necessary conditions for decarbonization are created in steel-producing regions.
Van Poelvoorde replaced Henrik Adam, Executive Chairman of Tata Steel Nederland and Chairman of the German Steel Institute VDEh, who assumed the post of CEO of the World Steel Manufacturers Association. Meanwhile, Peter Berner from Tata Steel Nederland was elected vice president of EUROFER, also from October 1.
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