ArcelorMittal confirms the construction of an electric arc furnace in Dunkirk, France
The start‑up of the new two-million-tonne EAF is scheduled for 2029
ArcelorMittal has confirmed the construction of an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its steelmaking site in Dunkirk, and welcomed the French President, Emmanuel Macron, to its Dunkirk site today. This strategic €1.3 billion investment marks a major step in the decarbonisation of ArcelorMittal’s steel production in France.
The start‑up of this two-million-tonne EAF is scheduled for 2029. It will produce steel with three times less CO2 compared with a blast furnace (0.6 tonne CO2 per tonne of steel in the EAF based on a mix of scrap, HBI/DRI and hot metal). Its funding will be supported by Energy Efficiency Certificates (CEE), a regulatory mechanism that promotes energy savings and CO₂ reduction. The amount of support will represent 50% of the €1.3 billion investment.
Confidence in policy developments
In recent months, the European Commission has published important regulatory proposals, in particular with regard to limiting unfair imports through the Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) mechanism which will limit the quantity of imports and impose additional duties to importers that are above the limits, as well as reforming the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
ArcelorMittal appreciates the progress made by the European Commission to better protect the European steel industry. It is now important to implement the TRQ and adapt the CBAM to close the remaining loopholes as swiftly as possible. Assuming the measures are fully implemented as envisaged, ArcelorMittal expects them to restore fair and competitive conditions in the European steel market, thus securing a sustainable future for steel production within the European Union. Another critical factor is the recent signing of a contract with EDF to secure a long-term supply of low-carbon, competitive electricity. This represents a major step in ArcelorMittal France’s energy strategy.
These three developments combined gave ArcelorMittal the confidence to confirm this investment.
Aditya Mittal, CEO of ArcelorMittal, said, “I am delighted we are now able to launch this €1.3 billion investment in Dunkirk, which underscores our Group’s long-term commitment in France. I must thank President Macron and the French government who – very early on – understood the challenges the European steel industry was facing. Their support, and in particular their efforts to drive changes to the mechanisms defending the steel market, will benefit the entire steel industry in Europe, starting here in Dunkirk.”
Geert van Poelvoorde, CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe, said, “The decision to proceed with building an EAF in ArcelorMittal Dunkirk, to produce low-carbon emissions steel at scale for our customers, has been made possible because we now have the conditions in place to make this project a success. The new tariff-rate quota will stem the tide of unfair imports into the EU, while the CBAM is now operating to create a more level playing field for European producers. In France, the support of the government and public authorities has been vital. We will now focus on steering the Dunkirk EAF project to completion and commercial success.
“We will review the possibility of building further EAFs elsewhere in Europe, taking a cautious attitude that is consistent with our economic decarbonisation approach. Having a strong steel industry in each European country in which we operate is a crucial foundation for thriving industry, and I hope that the conditions created in France can be replicated elsewhere so that we have a strong business case to invest further in the future.”
Reiner Blaschek, CEO of ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, said, “Today marks an important milestone for ArcelorMittal with the launch of this major decarbonisation investment in Dunkirk. The effective implementation of the announced measures is crucial to the success of the project. ArcelorMittal is investing and transforming its operations to secure the long‑term future of steel production at the heart of the European Union, serving its European customers”.