Vice President of ArcelorMittal becomes the new President of EUROFER

Robrecht Heimr, Executive Vice President Europe, ArcelorMittal, addressed hundreds of delegates at European Steel Day as the new president of EUROFER, the European Steel Association. He identified three goals for his presidency in securing the future for the steel industry in Europe: market demand and trade, energy and climate.

Steel demand in Europe remains 25 percent below pre-crisis levels, despite positive signs of a moderate recovery in the EU economy. He reminded the delegates that in order to increase the consumption of European steel, it is necessary, with the support of politicians, to create a competitive environment for the industry at the international level.

The EU steel industry plans to further reduce emissions below what it has already achieved, but this is possible with significant technological investment. This investment requires improved economic conditions, which will come with high demand for steel and increased production, which in turn requires a level playing field on the global level of trade.

Realistic energy and climate plans, together with industrial policies and fair trade conditions, should create a framework that encourages economic growth in Europe as a whole, rather than one plan for all that is currently being proposed.

The new EUROFER President said that it is very important to take the necessary measures to ensure that steel imports enter the EU market on a fair basis: "We fully support a fair playing field that allows local producers to compete domestically and internationally."

EUROFER was founded in 1976 and is made up of 59 companies and national associations representing 528 manufacturing plants in 24 EU member states.