Steel industry in North Rhine-Westphalia receives additional assistance for employers
The North Rhine-Westphalia state is preparing for a steel summit, aiming to ensure the future of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG and Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann. The summit, which is planned to take place by July 2024, is part of a broader initiative to protect the steel industry amid global overcapacity and import pressures [1].
The steel summit is intended to safeguard jobs and secure competitiveness for these companies through national and EU-level policy measures. Discussions will include foreign trade defense mechanisms and the adaptation of the European Steel and Metals Action Plan (ESMAP) [1]. The resolution backed by the Bundesrat signals a coordinated regional and federal initiative to reinforce the steel industry’s future.
The steel summit will involve tariff partners of all steel sites in North Rhine-Westphalia and will include discussions with ThyssenKrupp and the influence of the Krupp Foundation. SPD politician Sonja Bongers, who is spearheading the initiative, emphasized the importance of the steel industry in this context [1].
ThyssenKrupp is historically and significantly connected to Oberhausen, with many of its employees hailing from the city. SPD politician Sonja Bongers has expressed concern about the potential sale of ThyssenKrupp Steel, citing past unsuccessful investor entries [1]. The industrial jobs at ThyssenKrupp in Oberhausen are well-paid.
The steel summit aims to develop a viable industrial transformation and future concept that includes Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann. The goal is to maintain and modernize steel production, secure sites, and jobs in the state. The summit will have the broad support of the democratic factions of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament [1].
Recently, the Czech investor Daniel Kretinsky's EP Corporate Group a.s. announced the partial sale of 20% of the shares of the steel division thyssenkrupp Steel. This announcement has caused great uncertainty among the employees of thyssenkrupp Steel, Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM), and the steel industry as a whole. The board of directors of ThyssenKrupp AG plans to increase its stake to 50% in the future [1].
SPD politician Sonja Bongers, who wants to keep the jobs at ThyssenKrupp in Oberhausen, has not specified any specific actions or strategies to prevent potential negative impacts on the steel industry or ThyssenKrupp in Oberhausen [1]. However, the steel summit provides a platform for discussions and agreements on a common path to secure the future of the steel industry in North Rhine-Westphalia.
[1] Source: Various news outlets, July 2023 - July 2025.
- The steel summit, part of a broader initiative, is planned to address foreign trade defense mechanisms and the adaptation of the European Steel and Metals Action Plan (ESMAP) in an effort to safeguard the steel industry amid global overcapacity and import pressures.
- The steel summit will have the support of various democratic factions in the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament and will involve tariff partners of all steel sites in the region, including ThyssenKrupp and Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann.
- The steel industry has significant ties to finance and energy businesses, as well as to policy-and-legislation and politics, with the steel summit aiming to discuss and reach agreements on a common path to secure the industry's future.
- SPD politician Sonja Bongers, who is spearheading the steel summit, has emphasized the importance of the steel industry, including its impact on general news and the economy, and has expressed concern about potential negative impacts, such as steel plant sales, on the industry and individual companies like ThyssenKrupp.
