After months and even years of uncertainty, doubt, and false hope, Liberty Steel employees in Dudelange are facing a new blow. Tosyalı Holding, which planned to acquire the plant, announced its retirement, which was confirmed by the Ministries of Economy and Labor.
"This is a disaster, it's another blow to the 130 employees at the facility," OBL central secretary Stefano Araujo said on May 7, contacted by Paperjam. "They feel lost and abandoned." Although no official information has confirmed or denied this, rumors are circulating on the sidelines, and in an article published by our colleagues at L'Essentiel, it was announced that the specified buyer of the Liberty Steel site in Dudelange, Tosyalı Holding, had been recalled.
This news was confirmed after a joint response to Paperjam from the Ministries of Economy and Labor.
"On the evening of May 6, 2025, Minister of Economy Lex Delles (DP) stated: and Minister of Labor Georges Michaud (CSV) have been informed that Tosyalı Group is withdrawing from the process of acquiring Liberty Steel plants in Dudelange," wrote the Delles public relations team.
"This was undoubtedly the best candidate, with the relocation of operations, employee retention, willingness to invest in the site and a long-term business plan," commented Robert Fornieri, member of the LCGB Board. "If this is confirmed, we will be in the worst possible situation for the staff and for the Dudelange facility."
The Dudelange facility mentioned in the interview
In a statement, the Ministry of Economy added: "Tosyal Group states that it made this decision as part of its due diligence procedure following recent changes made by the European Union to protective measures against steel imports from third countries[editor's note: measures which will expire in June 2026]. The Ministers regret that Tosyalı group has taken this decision, despite the efforts made over the past few months to support the resumption of operations in Dudelange."
As a result, the Turkish group's development prospects would be hampered by the inability to import products from its other plants. Tosyalı Holding did not yet have a representative office in Europe, and it was assumed that the acquisition of Liberty Steel in Dudelange would be its first presence on the Old Continent. "But between the sale imposed at the time by the European Commission, which forced ArcelorMittal to sell the Liberty Steel plant, and this latest turnaround, Brussels has already twice put obstacles in the way of European industry," Fornieri said.
"Two weeks ago, in an interview published by specialized media, the CEO of Tosyalı Holding confirmed that they are still negotiating a new purchase.
