Strategic partnership with the University of Luxembourg

As part of the transaction, a strategic partnership was also agreed with the University of Luxembourg. This strengthens scientific research and development of hydrogen technologies at the Luxembourg site. With financial support from Paul Wurth, the university has already established a chair for energy process technology.

Paul Wurth’s real estate activities in Luxembourg will be transferred to a new company in which the Luxembourg public shareholders and SMS will each hold stakes.

Georges Rassel, CEO of Paul Wurth S.A., said:

“Green Steel means an enormous transformation for our customers. SMS and Paul Wurth have been setting technological standards in the steel industry for 150 years and have already worked together very successfully in recent years. By combining our competences, we are ensuring that SMS and Paul Wurth will remain synonymous with innovative and sustainable solutions.”

Edwin Eichler, Chairman of SMS group GmbH, said:

“In the coming decades, decarbonising technologies will replace the traditional blast furnaces and coking plants in integrated steel plants. Therefore, the energy balance at the steel plant will have to be reconsidered and reorganised. Our customers will require fully integrated solutions to bring about this change. Alongside the decarbonisation roadmap, efforts will continue in developing digital solutions to establish self-learning processes. This disruption in the global steelmaking market means the time is right for Paul Wurth and SMS Metallurgy to form a single solution provider.”