ArcelorMittal to Halt Duisburg-Ruhrort Steelmaking in 2027

Steel News  |  2026-09-03 05:49:59   |   By

The planned shutdown will involve the steelmaking unit, continuous casting operations and billet rolling mill. Out of the total workforce of around 800 at the facility, nearly 550 employees could be affected, sources said.

Summary
  • ArcelorMittal plans to end steelmaking at Duisburg-Ruhrort: The proposed October 2027 shutdown would cover steelmaking, continuous casting and billet rolling operations, subject to supervisory board approval.
  • Up to 550 jobs could be affected: Nearly 550 of the facility's approximately 800 employees may be impacted, while the wire rod mill is expected to remain operational using billets from other ArcelorMittal plants and external suppliers.
  • High costs drive the closure decision: The expiry of a long-term pig iron supply agreement with thyssenkrupp Steel, rising carbon-related costs, unfavorable economics for an electric arc furnace conversion and difficult European steel market conditions contributed to the decision.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): ArcelorMittal announced plans to stop steel production at its Duisburg-Ruhrort facility in Germany from October 2027. The move is feared to result in a significant reduction in employment at the site. The proposal still needs approval from the company's supervisory board.

The planned shutdown will involve the steelmaking unit, continuous casting operations and billet rolling mill. Out of the total workforce of around 800 at the facility, nearly 550 employees could be affected, sources said.

Meanwhile, the company's wire rod mill is expected to continue operating. It will receive billets from other ArcelorMittal facilities, including its Hamburg plant, as well as outside suppliers.

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A major factor behind the decision is the scheduled termination of ArcelorMittal's long-standing pig iron supply agreement with thyssenkrupp Steel. The contract, which has been in place since 1997, expires at the end of September 2027. ArcelorMittal had decided to end the contract as the arrangement has become increasingly costly due to rising carbon-related expenses.

The company explored other pig iron supply options but could not find an economically competitive solution. Also, conversion of the Duisburg operation to electric arc furnace technology was dropped on account of unfavourable investment and operating economics.

ArcelorMittal pointed to high manufacturing costs and challenging market conditions across Europe's steel sector as additional reasons for the planned closure.