Thyssenkrupp Steel will further reduce production of grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) in response to rising low-priced imports in the European market.
The company’s subsidiary, Thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel, will temporarily shut down its Isbergues plant in France from June to September, following earlier production curtailments at the site and at Gelsenkirchen. Since January, output at Isbergues has been running at around 50pct capacity.
The move comes amid a sharp increase in imports, with volumes more than tripling since 2022 and rising by a further 50pct in 2025. Imports are estimated to account for over 50pct of the European market, with prices in some cases below EU production costs.
The surge in imports has led to a decline in order intake and underutilization of domestic capacity, prompting calls from the company for stronger trade protection measures.
Thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel is one of only two remaining producers of GOES in Europe, the other being ArcelorMittal. Grain-oriented electrical steel is a key material used in transformers and power infrastructure, playing a critical role in electricity transmission and the energy transition.
Thyssenkrupp Steel is Germany’s largest flat steel manufacturer, based in Duisburg. The company specializes in high-quality flat carbon steel and serves diverse global industries, including automotive, packaging, energy, and construction.
