Brussels, 19 November 2021 – The board of the European Steel Association (EUROFER) has re-elected Geert Van Poelvoorde as President of the organisation for the fourth consecutive time. The board meeting, which took place yesterday, also saw the re-election of the nine EUROFER vice-presidents and the confirmation of the 20 members of the board. All are two-year terms.

Mr Van Poelvoorde is a member of the Group management committee of ArcelorMittal and CEO ArcelorMittal Europe. He has more than 30 years of experience in different positions in the steel sector. He started serving as President of the European Steel Association in November 2015.

Speaking after his re-election, Mr Van Poelvoorde said: “It’s a great honour to be appointed for the fourth time by my peers on the EUROFER board in a role more important than ever. The renewal of the mandate comes at a crucial time for the steel sector: the coming months will be key for re-adjusting the European Commission’s Fit for-55 package, so that the European steel industry’s ambitious decarbonisation plans towards climate neutrality can be reached in a sustainable way ensuring its global competitiveness. I thank my colleagues for their trust and I look forward to continuing this vital work along with the EUROFER team”.

“In his three previous terms, Mr Van Poelvoorde has demonstrated indispensable leadership in guiding the European steel industry through troubled waters, amidst global trade disturbances such as massive dumping from third countries and excess capacity, the US Section 232 steel import tariffs, as well as the reform of the EU trade defence instruments. Now we need continuity over the next years to ensure a successful transition towards low-carbon steel and ultimately to carbon-neutral steel by 2050”, said Axel Eggert, Director General of EUROFER.

“Reconfirming Mr Poelvoorde as our President will allow EUROFER to further consolidate its position on the European stage as the main interlocutor on steel-related issues. He will help keep the course straight to fulfil our climate ambition”, added Mr. Eggert.

The election of the EUROFER president and vice-presidents takes place every two years, chosen from amongst the association’s membership.

Notes for editors

Contact
Lucia Sali, Spokesperson and Head of Communications, +32 2 738 79 35, ([email protected])

About the European Steel Association (EUROFER)
EUROFER AISBL is located in Brussels and was founded in 1976. It represents the entirety of steel production in the European Union. EUROFER members are steel companies and national steel federations throughout the EU. The major steel companies and national steel federation of Turkey and the United Kingdom are associate members.

The European Steel Association is recorded in the EU transparency register: 93038071152-83.

About the European steel industry
The European steel industry is a world leader in innovation and environmental sustainability. It has a turnover of around €170 billion and directly employs 330,000 highly-skilled people, producing on average 160 million tonnes of steel per year. More than 500 steel production sites across 22 EU Member States provide direct and indirect employment to millions more European citizens. Closely integrated with Europe’s manufacturing and construction industries, steel is the backbone for development, growth and employment in Europe.

Steel is the most versatile industrial material in the world. The thousands of different grades and types of steel developed by the industry make the modern world possible. Steel is 100% recyclable and therefore is a fundamental part of the circular economy. As a basic engineering material, steel is also an essential factor in the development and deployment of innovative, CO2-mitigating technologies, improving resource efficiency and fostering sustainable development in Europe.