At a time when a significant part of the European steel value chain is under increasing pressure, European Staal is choosing a different path, focused on industrial recovery, reinvestment and long-term development in Europe.
About a year and a half ago, Belgian investor Amaury Hellssen acquired several former subsidiaries of the Russian Mechel group located in Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic and Germany. According to a press release released by the company, the first months after the acquisition were marked by significant operational and structural problems inherited from the previous owner.
Thanks to the continuous efforts of the management of the group's subsidiaries, combined with the strong commitment of its employees, European Staal has gradually stabilized its operations. In 2025, the group managed to regain its market position, and it is expected that the current year will be marked by a return to profitability.
However, for Amaury Hellssen, financial recovery in itself is not the ultimate goal. "My goal is not just to make the various divisions of my group profitable," he explains, "but to implement innovative, environmentally responsible solutions to ensure the future of the companies I have acquired."
In line with these goals, the European company Staal has already invested in state-of-the-art, high-quality equipment designed to reduce energy consumption and increase operational efficiency. At the same time, the group is considering options to improve the environmental performance of its industrial facilities. As Hellssen notes, "we have already invested in less energy-intensive equipment, and we are also exploring how to make our buildings more environmentally friendly."
The Group is also expanding the range of solutions offered to its customers. Thanks to the integration with Technochim, a newly acquired subsidiary specializing in coating technologies, the European Staal will soon be able to produce finished products with higher added value. These solutions are expected to be used in demanding sectors such as luxury goods manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, automotive and chemical industries.
Looking ahead, we note that the development strategy of the European company Staal continues to improve. Negotiations are currently underway to acquire an additional company in Austria, which will further expand the group's range of services. In parallel, the group intends to rely heavily on its partnership with Technochim to develop new business lines in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. "The story won't end there," he emphasizes
