Finance
Thyssenkrupp's Steel Unit Pushes EU to Protect Special Steel Sector
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 1, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 1, 2026
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Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe urges the European Commission to swiftly enact protective measures for grain‑oriented electrical steel amid a WTO‑backed safeguard probe, citing a surge of low‑priced imports endangering domestic jobs and critical energy infrastructure.
Thyssenkrupp Demands EU Action to Protect Domestic Electrical Steel Sector
Thyssenkrupp Calls for EU Safeguards Amid Surge in Cheap Steel Imports
Background on Thyssenkrupp's Appeal
DUESSELDORF, Germany, April 1 (Reuters) - Thyssenkrupp's steel subsidiary, Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, called on the European Commission to take action to protect the domestic production of electrical steel from cheap imports from Asia.
EU Investigation and Industry Response
The company welcomed on Wednesday the launch of a safeguard investigation by the EU into grain-oriented electrical steel, said unit head Marie Jaroni, as a much-needed first step.
Importance of Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel
Grain-oriented electrical steel is a key material used in power grids. Imports are not covered by EU plans to cut tariff-free steel import quotas by almost half and impose a 50% duty for excess shipments.
Calls for Swift and Effective Measures
"What matters now is acting swiftly and introducing effective protective measures," she said, adding jobs and technological expertise could only be safeguarded in Europe in the long term with a level playing field.
Impact on Thyssenkrupp Operations
Production Cuts in France
Thyssenkrupp said last week it would extend production cuts at its site in Isbergues in northern France, citing a "ruinous flood of imports" coming to Europe.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Matthias InverardiWriting by Madeline ChambersEditing by Kirsti Knolle)
Key Takeaways
- •Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe welcomed the EU’s launch on March 27, 2026, of a WTO‑notified safeguard investigation into grain‑oriented electrical steel, urging rapid and effective action to shield domestic production (wto.org).
- •The company has extended production cuts — including temporary shutdowns at its Isbergues (France) and Gelsenkirchen (Germany) plants — in response to a “ruinous flood” of low‑priced Asian imports, with imports having tripled since 2022 and surged another 50% in 2025 (thyssenkrupp-steel.com).
- •Without urgent EU intervention, Thyssenkrupp warns that both skilled jobs (around 1,200 at risk) and Europe’s technological edge in electrical steel—vital to power grids and energy transition—could be irreversibly undermined (thyssenkrupp-steel.com).
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Thyssenkrupp's steel unit pushes EU to protect special steel sector
1Why is Thyssenkrupp urging the EU to protect the electrical steel sector?
Thyssenkrupp wants the EU to act against cheap imports from Asia that threaten the domestic production of grain-oriented electrical steel.
2What material is at the center of this EU investigation?
The investigation focuses on grain-oriented electrical steel, a key material used in power grids.
3How are current EU steel import quotas affecting the market?
Current EU plans cut tariff-free steel import quotas by almost half and impose a 50% duty for shipments beyond the quota, but not all imports are covered.
4What recent action has Thyssenkrupp taken in response to steel imports?
Thyssenkrupp has extended production cuts at its Isbergues site in France due to the increase in cheap imports.
5What outcome is Thyssenkrupp seeking from the EU?
Thyssenkrupp aims for swift, effective protective measures from the EU to secure jobs and technological expertise in Europe.
