ArcelorMittal launches new €500 million electric steel production line in France

Global mining and steel company ArcelorMittal is preparing to launch the first three lines of its new electric steel production unit at its plant in Mardyck (France) by the end of 2025. This is the company’s largest investment in Europe in the last decade, amounting to €500 million, according to a press release.

Electrical steel is a steel product with special magnetic and mechanical properties that are key to all types of electric motors. With the new line, which complements production at the Saint-Chély-d’Apcher plant, ArcelorMittal is expanding its offering in Europe and supporting the development of electric vehicles and industrial electric motors.

By 2027, the company plans to introduce five more new lines at its Mardyck facility. Work on the second phase of the project, which includes an annealing and re-rolling line, is now being completed, and the launch of the first phase – a preparation line, an annealing and coating line, and a cutting line – is in its final stages.

Up to 400 people worked on the development and launch of the new lines, and now 175 employees are involved in the electric steel branch, who will control production and equipment maintenance. After the launch of the second phase, the team at the plant will number 200 people. According to Gaëlle Le Papillon, head of the electric steel division, the project is a significant technological and human challenge.

Electric steel is used in thin layers in motors and generators, energy-saving systems, the energy sector, and the automotive industry. They are characterized by high magnetic polarization, low energy losses, and strength, which ensures the durability of equipment.

ArcelorMittal’s €500 million investment is supported by France with €25 million as part of the France 2030 program, as well as EU funds under the Next Generation EU initiative.

As GMK Center reported earlier, the French parliament is taking steps to nationalize ArcelorMittal’s assets. On November 27, the French National Assembly (the lower house of parliament) passed the first reading of a bill proposed by the LFI party. The government has stated its disagreement with this move. At the same time, the future of the bill is uncertain, as it still has to pass the Senate.