Exploding energy costs are putting more and more companies under considerable economic pressure and are becoming a question of existence. Entrepreneurs need to keep a cool head in these turbulent times. Energy is now so expensive that the question arises as to whether energy-intensive production can still be carried out in Germany. Most recently, ArcelorMittal shut down two plants at its Hamburg and Bremen sites and is temporarily closing one of its two blast furnaces. The direct reduction plant will also be taken out of operation from the fourth quarter.

Short-time working is already in place at both plants and will have to be extended as a result of the upcoming measures. Germany is threatened with de-industrialization in the energy-intensive sector.
René Branders, President of CECOF, describes how the world has changed in the interview starting on page 24. René Branders says that many thermoprocessing companies must reinvent a part of their business model as the increasing energy prices have an impact on the whole value chain of products.

In the technical articles in the current issue of heat processing, you can read about the innovative approaches companies are taking to work in an energy-efficient manner.

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