Luxembourg-based steelmaker
ArcelorMittal has announced that it is urging unions to accept its proposals regarding a new industrial plan for its Liege site's downstream activities. As a result of months of intense negotiations with the government of the Walloon region in
Belgium and with other stakeholders,
ArcelorMittal has improved its industrial plan which was first announced on January 24, 2013.
Accordingly, the hot dip galvanizing line No. 5 will no longer be closed and will have an annual minimum load guarantee; in addition, the line will be given priority over other lines within
ArcelorMittal, to capture additional volume in case the market improves. The site of Flemalle will not be closed, as originally foreseen in the January 24 plan, but instead will have a minimum load guarantee with the prospect of higher volumes in the future. The other lines scheduled for closure following the January 24 announcement will also be mothballed, not dismantled.
ArcelorMittal has also confirmed its commitment to an investment program of €138 million. In line with the industrial plan announced on January 24, the company is still committed to operating Liège's five core lines, including the complete packaging route, at a high volume, guaranteed load.
ArcelorMittal stated that, if the new industrial plan is not accepted and if no social plans are discussed, the company will have no choice but to revert to the original industrial plan of January 24 and to proceed with its implementation.