Umweltminister: Autobauer sollen mehr deutschen Stahl kaufen

German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has called on domestic car manufacturers to increase their use of locally produced steel. In a recent interview with the "Frankfurter Rundschau," Schneider emphasized the importance of "a bit more local patriotism" from these companies. Schneider highlighted the need for Germany to maintain a robust steel production industry to ensure economic independence and strength. He noted that state support for companies like Thyssenkrupp is crucial as they transition towards decarbonization. "This is why I advocate for prioritizing European suppliers," Schneider stated.

The minister rejected proposals to source steel pre-products from countries like Saudi Arabia, where energy costs are lower, and only refine them in Germany. Instead, he supports the development of markets for steel produced using green hydrogen. He praised the railway industry for purchasing green steel from Europe for its tracks and suggested that the automotive sector could follow suit. Schneider expressed disappointment at the automotive industry's hesitance but proposed new incentives. "For instance, companies wanting to sell plug-in hybrids post-2035 could offset emissions by using green steel in production," he explained. This approach represents Germany's stance in negotiations in Brussels, though Schneider acknowledged it might not be popular with everyone in the industry.