The Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection has given the ArcelorMittal project DRIBE² for low-carbon steel production in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt an early start. As part of the transformation project, low-CO2 steel is to be produced in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt with the help of sponge iron (Direct Reduced Iron – DRI), which is initially to be produced in Bremen in a DRI plant with green hydrogen.
Actions at your own risk
The early start of the measure makes it possible – at your own risk – to issue planning orders and studies before the European Commission has given its funding approval. In 2021, ArcelorMittal submitted an application to the Brussels authorities for financial support for the approximately 2.5 billion euro investment project. The Federal Republic of Germany and the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen intend to provide financial support for the entire DRIBE² project as soon as the funding commitment from Brussels has been received.
“The early start of the measures we have requested sends an important signal: ArcelorMittal is ready to go down the path of decarbonization. In our plants in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt, we are now taking concrete next steps to prepare for the construction of the plants, as far as this is possible before the EU funding commitment. This will help us to achieve the change in the way of production – which requires a complete change of technology. As soon as all approvals have been received and the conditions are right, we can prepare the next stage and hopefully start implementation quickly,” comments Reiner Blaschek, CEO of ArcelorMittal Germany and chairman of the management boards at both plants.
