Thyssenkrupp Shuts Down Blast Furnace in Duisburg Amid Weak Steel Demand

Thyssenkrupp Faces Market Pressure from Imports and Low Demand

Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe has halted operations at blast furnace No. 9 (BF9) at its Duisburg-Bruckhausen site in Germany. The company cited sluggish steel demand across Europe and mounting pressure from cheaper imported products as key reasons for the shutdown. This move underscores the ongoing structural challenges in the EU steel industry, which continues to battle overcapacity and diminishing competitiveness.

According to company officials, the suspension reflects the consolidation of structural changes in the European steel market. Excess capacity and sustained import pressure have sharply reduced the efficiency of domestic production. The BF9 facility, with an annual pig iron capacity of around 1.7 million tonnes, is part of a larger complex capable of producing up to 11.7 million tonnes of pig iron and 11 million tonnes of steel per year.

Earlier in 2024, Thyssenkrupp announced plans to reduce output by 2.5 million tonnes and cut its workforce to 11,000 employees in response to the continued industry slowdown. The company continues to adapt its production to align with global steel demand trends and evolving market conditions.

Fire Incident Adds to Thyssenkrupp’s Operational Challenges

The shutdown follows another setback at the Duisburg facility. A fire erupted at the newly upgraded Hot Rolling Mill No. 4, which resumed operations in July after an €800 million modernization. An explosion in the furnace triggered the fire, damaging parts of the workshop. Fortunately, the slab casting machine and rolling mill stayed intact, and staff contained the fire quickly.

Thyssenkrupp confirmed the fire’s impact on production remains limited because the affected equipment operates in the start-up phase. The company now assesses the damage and determines the expected downtime.

In addition, the company’s Electrical Steel subsidiary in Gelsenkirchen halts production for a week. Full operations—including administrative offices—will stop by mid-October. This move could affect roughly 1,200 employees and aligns with Thyssenkrupp’s broader restructuring strategy.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

Thyssenkrupp’s latest shutdown highlights the growing pressure on European steel producers to remain competitive amid weak domestic demand and surging low-cost imports. The combination of high energy prices, sluggish construction activity, and global oversupply continues to challenge profitability across the sector. As Europe transitions toward greener steel production, traditional blast furnace operations may face further consolidation. Strategic adaptation—such as investment in hydrogen-based steelmaking—will likely determine which producers emerge stronger in the next cycle.