Speaking at EUROMETAL’s 75th Anniversary Conference, Henrik Adam, CEO of Tata Steel Europe, declared that deindustrialisation in Europe is no longer a looming threat—it’s already happening. He pointed to plant closures, job losses, and declining capacity as evidence that Europe’s industrial base is eroding while other regions expand.
Adam emphasized that European steelmakers face some of the world’s strictest emissions rules, which, while environmentally progressive, place them at a competitive disadvantage. Energy costs are a major burden, with electricity and gas prices significantly higher than in other regions. He warned that without a long-term, low-cost energy strategy, production may shift to parts of Europe with cheaper renewables or even outside the continent.
Scrap availability is another concern. Europe exports around 19 million tonnes annually, yet this material is crucial for low-emission steelmaking. Adam cautioned that if all mills transition to electric arc furnace technology, scrap could become scarce.
Despite the challenges, he believes Europe still has the tools to secure its industrial future—if decisive action is taken now. Let me know if you'd like this added to your industrial policy or competitiveness tracker.
