12.12.2025 11:02
Cheap steel imports from Asia are putting pressure on Europe, prompting Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe to decide to close its critical facilities in Germany and France. While 1,200 jobs are at risk, the company is preparing to lay off 11,000 people by 2030 and significantly reduce its production capacity.
Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe announced that the facility in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and the Isbergues facility in France will be completely closed until the end of the year starting from mid-December. In a statement from the company, it was noted that the Isbergues facility will operate at only 50% capacity for at least four months starting in January.
1200 EMPLOYEES' JOBS AT RISK
This decision was emphasized as a measure against the significant increase in low-priced steel imports from Asia. The statement indicated that approximately 1200 employees' jobs at the Gelsenkirchen and French subsidiaries are at risk due to the pressure from these imports.
THEY WERE PRODUCING ELECTRICAL STEEL
It was stated that electrical steel, widely preferred in the energy sector, transformers used in substations, and wind turbines, was produced at Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe's Gelsenkirchen and Isbergues facilities. It was pointed out that the company is among the last manufacturers in Europe producing this material, along with Polish Stalprodukt SA.
While it was noted that a significant portion of steel imports in the European market is supplied by companies such as China's Baowu, South Korea's POSCO, and Japan's Nippon Steel, it was reported that European manufacturers are under serious pressure due to increasing competition with Asia, rising energy costs following the Russia-Ukraine war, and the slowdown in the global economy.
IMPORTS INCREASED, SECTOR IN TROUBLE
It was expressed that the uncontrolled increase in imports occurring at prices significantly below production costs across the European Union is putting pressure on the sector. It was mentioned that steel imports to the EU have tripled since 2022 and are expected to increase by another 50% by 2025, leading to European manufacturers operating at low capacity.
It was noted that Thyssenkrupp's steel division, which has been under financial pressure for years, plans to lay off approximately 11,000 people by 2030. As part of the restructuring process, the company aims to reduce its production capacity from 11.5 million tons to a range of 8.7 to 9 million tons, while it was stated that Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe currently employs around 27,000 people.