Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (TKSE) announced it will temporarily shut down production of electrical steel in Germany and France from mid-December until the end of the year, citing imports from Asia that threaten an additional 1,200 jobs. The Isbergues plant in France will operate at half capacity from January for at least four months.

TKSE, Europe’s second-largest steelmaker, is already cutting or outsourcing 11,000 jobs, and the additional reductions would raise total workforce cuts from 40% to 45%. CEO Marie Jaroni stressed that grain-oriented electrical steel is vital for Europe’s energy infrastructure and transition, and TKSE is working to ensure fair competition through market protection. Imports of the material have tripled in three years, rising around 50% in 2025, partly due to U.S. tariffs redirecting steel to Europe.