ArcelorMittal will temporarily stop operation of the blast furnace and rolling mill of the Krakow steel plant. Process shutdowns will begin on 23 November 2019. Previously, the company transferred the blast furnace in Krakow and two ovens in Dąbrowa górnicza at the minimum load for saving of energy resources, amid falling demand and prices.
"Our three blast furnaces currently operate at the minimum technological level, so we can't cut production. As the situation on the steel market continues to deteriorate and the Outlook remains hazy, we, unfortunately, have no choice but to suspend operation of the blast furnace in Krakow", - said the Executive Director of ArcelorMittal Geert Verbeke.
the Company, which employs more than 11,000 people in Poland said, citing data from EUROFER, the steel demand in Europe is expected to decline by 3.1% this year.
"ArcelorMittal Poland position remains unchanged with respect to the desire to resume operation of the blast furnace and rolling mill in Krakow, as soon as market conditions will improve," the company said and added that most employees will be offered jobs at other plants in ArcelorMittal Poland.
Earlier today it was reported that the South African unit of ArcelorMittal decided stop and completely close its plant Saldanha Works, conceived as a public mega-project for the smelting of steel in the South African apartheid.
