ArcelorMittal announces the “possible” closure of two sites, in Reims and Denain

ArcelorMittal will cut its factories and workforce in France. He announced to the unions on Tuesday the « possible shutdown » two industrial service sites, « Reims (Marne) and Denain (North), due to a “difficult economic context” ». « The management of the company ArcelorMittal Service Centers brought together the members of its CSE (social and economic committee) in order to inform them of a project to reorganize the company and adapt its production capacities »specified the steel giant.

On the Reims site, which employs 200 people, between 100 and 150 employees could lose their jobs, according to The Unionthe local newspaper. The site specializes in the processing of thin steel coils. Employees feared such an announcement, the site's activity having continued to decline in recent years.

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Difficult situation in Europe

ArcelorMittal, which employs 15,000 employees in France (including 800 researchers in Lorraine) in around forty sites, is currently facing a difficult situation in Europe. One of its main markets, the automobile industry, has suffered a large-scale crisis since the Covid pandemic which has led to a significant drop in its volumes. In addition, European steel faces strong competition from low-cost Chinese products. China is facing overproduction in its local market, and it is selling its steel to Europe by cutting prices. Today, nearly 30% of the European market is taken up by Chinese products, despite the protection measures put in place by the European Commission. But they are notably insufficient.