ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt suspends its only blast furnace

German steelmaker ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt, a subsidiary of global steelmaker ArcelorMittal, has suspended production due to maintenance of its only blast furnace 5A. This is stated in the company’s press release.

The work started on June 24 this year and is scheduled to last until June 29. Dust and noise emissions may occur during the blast furnace shutdown and start-up phases, the company said.

In 2023, ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt produced 1.7 million tons of pig iron, ensuring the production of 1.9 million tons of steel. The company does not say whether production will be carried out from raw material stocks. However, the shutdown of the unit comes at a time of weak demand for steel, so no significant impact on the market is expected.

In January-March 2024, ArcelorMittal increased steel production by 5.1% quarter-on-quarter – to 14.4 million tons. Compared to the same period in 2023, the figure decreased by 0.7%. Steel shipments increased by 1.5% q/q and decreased by 6.9% y/y – to 13.5 million tons.

Steel production in Germany increased by 6% – to 9.7 million tons in the period under review compared to the same period in 2023. In particular, production in converters increased by 4.6% – to 6.77 million tons, and EAF by 9.4% y/y – to 2.93 million tons.

ArcelorMittal Eisenhüttenstadt was established in the early 1950s from the former East steel mill. It is an integrated plant equipped with a blast furnace, converter, hot and cold rolling mills. The company employs about 2,000 people and manufactures products for the automotive, household appliances and construction industries. In 2022, the plant produced 1.5 million tons of sheet steel.