Sánchez says Spain will become a world benchmark in the decarbonisation of steel production

ArcelorMittal’s Factory, Gijón (Asturias)

This is a public-private investment project involving private enterprise, the Government of Asturias and the Government of Spain, representing a fundamental step in the consolidation of production capacities for the manufacture of steel with more sustainable technologies, which will contribute to the decarbonisation process of this electro-intensive sector.

"We are here to say that business, territory and governments are committed to the steel industry in Asturias, to the recovery and modernisation of the industry and the Asturian economy. Which is the same as committing to the recovery and modernisation of Spanish industry and the Spanish economy," said the president.

For the Government, the transition to a decarbonised economy is an essential objective, and it recognises the industrial, technological and regulatory challenges that this transition represents for Spanish industry, as well as the opportunities it offers in terms of innovation and improved competitiveness.

"The Government is committed to Spanish industry. And there will be no better guarantee to achieve this strength than to boost its competitiveness, incorporating two crucial transforming vectors such as digitalisation and sustainability", he pointed out.

Sánchez wanted to highlight the positive impact of this project on the Asturian labour market: "With this step, highly skilled jobs will be created that will turn Asturias into a world hub of sustainable and inclusive growth, capable of competing globally in this field, and offering a hopeful future for the new generations of Asturians".

Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoThe Government, within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, will promote reforms and investments to boost the development and growth of a stronger, more competitive and sustainable economic model, whose objectives are aligned with the steel industry's innovation projects presented in Gijón.

The Plan includes a component specifically dedicated to the industrial sector, and more than 23% of the resources, some 16 billion euros, will be allocated to policies for the modernisation and digitalisation of the industrial fabric, which will enable the implementation of important investments to deploy the Spain 2030 Industrial Policy Strategy.

"The aim is to strengthen the development of Industry 4.0 and a more sustainable industry through actions such as the Roadmap for Renewable Hydrogen, the Circular Economy Strategy, the Sustainable and Connected Mobility Strategy and the Digital Agenda 2025," the president stressed.

Sánchez also announced that together with the Union of Iron and Steel Companies (UNESID) and ArcelorMittal, they will begin to draw up an "Action Plan for Steel", similar to what is happening in other neighbouring countries, in order to improve the competitiveness of steel companies in Spain and their transition.

Non official translation