During a meeting with metallurgical magnate Lakshmi Mittal, President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the need to introduce the latest steelmaking technologies in green steel. They will help to curtail the negative impact of industry on the environment.
On April 14, 2021, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman of ArcelorMittal Board of Directors.
The parties discussed the development of “green” metallurgy and the increase of investments in Ukraine, taking into consideration environmental characteristics in accordance with international standards.
As the largest foreign investor in Ukraine and one of the largest steel producers in the world, ArcelorMittal will launch a “Steel Billion” investment program in our country, which provides for an investment of almost one billion dollars in the eco-modernization of steel production facilities in Kryvyi Rih.
Investments in the Ukrainian economy and environment are a positive signal for all investors, to whom we will provide comprehensive support.
Volodymyr Zelensky
The President emphasized the need to complete the modernization of coke, sintering, and blast furnace production facilities, which are the biggest polluters, as soon as possible. The company has confirmed its readiness to complete this program by the end of 2023.
AMKR strives for green steel
Let us remind that AMKR intends to achieve carbon neutrality – that is, to comply with Green Deal standards, by 2050. This was stated by the company’s CEO Mauro Longobardo in an interview with Metal-Courier magazine.
AMKR’s long-term strategy envisages that by 2050, the plant’s metallurgical facilities will be completely neutral in terms of carbon emissions.
European Green Deal
It is worth reminding that in December 2019, the European Commission adopted the European Green Deal plan to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero environmental pollution in the European Union member-states by shifting from fossil to renewable energy sources and raw materials by 2050.
In the European Union, the investment plan for the “green transition” of industry amounts to 1 trillion euro during 2021-2030 in the form of concessional loans and subsidies. Moreover, the European Commission is going to allocate about 300 billion euros from the Coronavirus Relief Fund (the fund to combat the economic consequences of the impact of Coronavirus) specifically on the eco-modernization of industrial enterprises.
Under the European Green Deal, the European Commission intends to introduce a special “carbon” tax on importers that will not reduce CO2 emissions.