SITA: ECONOMY: Europe Should Review Some of Its Environmental Targets to Keep Its Industry Competitive, September 30, 2024

The European Union should review some of its environmental targets if it wants its industry to be competitive. As the President of the National Union of Employers and Vice President External Affairs, Administration and Business Development at U. S. Steel, Miroslav Kiralvarga, said in an interview with SITA newswire, they currently perceive a certain shift towards a more pragmatic approach. “We cannot go against the rules, but they have to be amended because they are unrealistic,” he said. Kiralvarga drew attention to further problems of big industrial companies, namely sufficient volume of electricity for a reasonable price, and, in the case of steel producers, imports of dumped products from third countries. “We are seeking options to prevent it, and we communicate with the European Commission so that it finds a way to stop imports of such products,” he said. In his words, back in 2000, China accounted for some 15% of steel products compared to the current over 50%. At the same time, its production capacity has surged, but consumption has not increased considerably. The overcapacity is at some 500-560 million tons. “So, we are struggling to protect domestic production. And we can do it only when we have customers. They should be domestic because selling over short distances is the best,” Kiralvarga said. In his words, all steel producers in Europe intend to produce at home and in “a greener” way. “But I just think that we are going too fast. And that it can’t be done on schedule,” he said. Some 60 projects reducing greenhouse gas emissions are underway in Europe, worth some 30 billion euros. At the same time, the sector currently consumes some 75 TWh per year, while this value would double if the projects are implemented. According to Kiralvarga, we need to re-solve where we will get the needed green power.