Coal and steel partnership, Steigergemeinschaft West, within thyssenkrupp Steel industry
In a significant visit on August 22, 2022, a group of former miners toured the thyssenkrupp Steel plant in Duisburg-Marxloh, Germany. The tour was prompted by a restructuring agreement aimed at reducing around 11,000 jobs in the company by the end of 2030.
The tour began with a visit to blast furnace 8, the company's own harbor Schwelgern, the steel converter in DU Bruckhausen, and the hot rolling mill in DU Bruckhausen. The miners had a unique opportunity to witness the production process, including the lifting of a 340-ton container of crude iron and the heating and rolling of steel slabs into thin sheets or strips.
The tour concluded with a visit to Schirrhof Kamp-Lintfort, where the miners enjoyed grilled sausages and a cold drink after the works tour. No objections were raised regarding GDPR during the tour.
The thyssenkrupp Steel plant, which employs approximately 27,000 people, with around 13,000 in Duisburg, is a significant employer in the region. Despite the ongoing restructuring, the plant continues to produce around 12 million tons of steel annually.
Coal will still be needed until the end of 2027 for the production of coke, with 5 million tons imported annually from Australia and North America. However, the steel plant plans to transition to natural gas in 2028 and green hydrogen by 2045 as part of a decarbonization project.
The last German coal mine closed in Bottrop in 2018, and the remaining steel industry is currently facing challenges. Yet, the visit served as a reminder of the industry's rich history and the important role it has played in the region.
The four thyssenkrupp locations in North Rhine-Westphalia are in Essen (thyssenkrupp Schulte GmbH headquarters), Iserlohn (thyssenkrupp Hohenlimburg GmbH at Hoeger Str. 120), Hagen/Westfalen, and Duisburg (thyssenkrupp Steel operations including the new Direct Reduction plant area near Südhafen).
The visit by the Steiger community, as the former miners are known, marked a poignant moment in the transition of Germany's steel industry from coal to greener alternatives. As the industry continues to evolve, it is clear that the legacy of the past will continue to shape its future.
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