Newsroom Tata Steel Nederland

Tata Steel Netherlands stands behind the European Commission's Steel Action Plan.

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:40:26 +0100

The European Commission today presented an action plan for the steel industry. The 'Steel Action Plan' discusses solutions for, among other things, flaws in border carbon adjustments (CBAM), energy prices, and addressing unfair competition.

Hans van den Berg – CEO Tata Steel Netherlands:
"With this plan, the EC acknowledges the strategic importance of the steel sector for our continent and our industry. The commission has identified the right challenges in the current steel market. However, we urge the EU to expedite the repair of the CBAM and call on the Dutch government to ensure a level playing field in terms of energy with the countries around us. If this happens, our company can contribute to prosperity and security in the Netherlands in the coming decades."

Energy Costs
Reducing energy costs is crucial for the steel industry. The Commission's proposals on energy costs carry the risk of further weakening the level playing field between member states. We would like to see the Dutch government adopt the recommendations and opportunities from the European Commission, and develop a plan to align the costs for the Dutch industry with those of the countries around us. Belgium and Germany have already taken extensive measures, and the Netherlands cannot afford to lag behind.

CBAM
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is intended to prevent CO2 leakage. Through CBAM, companies from countries without a domestic CO2 price (which we have in Europe) must still pay for their CO2 emissions. If CBAM works well, it will create a more level playing field in the internal European market and prevent CO2 leakage.

In its current setup, CBAM is not sufficiently effective because it is possible to circumvent the regulations. Products containing steel are not covered by CBAM, and if steel companies in other continents send low-CO2 steel to Europe without taking action on the rest of their production, CBAM does not contribute to reducing global CO2 emissions.

Additionally, in its current setup, CBAM does not ensure that the export position of European companies remains competitive on a global scale. Steel is a global market, and European steel exports made with clean technologies also require a level playing field.

Unfair Competition
Another issue that the European Commission aims to address is unfair competition. It is good to see that the commission continues to address protection against unfair competition. The current set of measures expires in 2026 and needs to be replaced. The new measures need to be strengthened in some areas.

Circularity
Europe faces a shortage of metal scrap, which is necessary for producing cleaner steel. Therefore, Tata Steel supports the export duties on metal scrap proposed by the European Commission, such as limiting exports and improving scrap quality.

Tata Steel Nederland positive about plans Clean Industrial Deal

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:57:29 +0100

Tata Steel Nederland (TSN) is pleased with the principles of the Clean Industrial Deal presented by the European Union today. We endorse the need for a European agenda to make the industry more competitive, cleaner, and future-proof. Our Green Steel plan aligns well with the objectives of the European Union and those of Tata Steel Nederland.

Demand and circularity
The transformation of Tata Steel Nederland can only be completed with a functioning market for clean steel. It is positive to see that the European Commission aims to take ambitious steps in the area of demand creation for clean steel. These steps are necessary in order to prevent fossil steel from hindering the development of the market for green steel.

Steel can be infinitely recycled. It is therefore positive that the Commission wants to do more to promote the circular economy. This is good for the steel sector and for the strategic autonomy of Europe. In the coming years, Tata Steel Nederland aims to use more scrap in the steelmaking process. Currently, steel is made with 17% scrap, which will increase to around 30%.

Simultaneously with the Clean Industrial Deal, the European Commission presents the action plan for affordable energy. In this field the Commission states it sees a significant role for the member states. Tata Steel Nederland is positive about the broader opportunities for dealmaking between the industry and national governments.

In recent months, Tata Steel Nederland has made various efforts to restore a level playing field for the Dutch industry. We made clear that the government and industry must work together to ensure that the Netherlands remains a country of makers. Additional levies that weaken our industry must stop, so that the Netherlands obtains a level playing field in Europe. Innovations should not get bogged down in red tape. This position is also in line with the recommendations from the Clean Industrial Deal.

Ambition
Tata Steel Nederland hopes that the European Commission will do more to lower the price of green-produced hydrogen. This can only be achieved through scaling up hydrogen. The steel company also hopes for more concrete steps against unfair competition from third countries.

Extinction Rebellion conducts a demonstration on the premises of Tata Steel, resulting in a hazardous situation

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:14:00 +0100

Approximately 9 activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) have climbed over the fences onto the grounds of Tata Steel Nederland and are currently located in the raw materials area. The security service of Tata Steel and the police are on site. Tata Steel has requested the demonstrators to leave as they are situated in an extremely dangerous location where large machinery operates and conveyor belts are in use. The activists have not complied with this request. The personnel of Tata Steel have been informed. Tata Steel's priority is to ensure the optimal safety of the demonstrators. Therefore, Tata Steel has secured the installations in the raw materials area, and the conveyors and wheel excavators are at a standstill.

Tata Steel Nederland's spokesperson regarding the XR action stated, "We respect everyone's right to demonstrate, but it is disappointing that Extinction Rebellion has once again chosen to disrupt our business operations. Wandering around our premises is dangerous and contributes nothing to 'stop using coals'. This action therefore misses its intended goal. Tata Steel, through its Green Steel plan, aims to (largely) 'stop using coals', but unlike XR, we have a realistic approach in mind. We have offered the activists a meeting with our management."