Gunnar Groebler, CEO of Salzgitter AG, warns in a HAZ interview of progressive deindustrialization and declining attractiveness of Germany as a business location. Salzgitter AG, one of the largest steel producers for reinforcement steel and structural profiles, is planning to switch to CO2-reduced direct reduction – but unresolved framework conditions regarding energy prices and subsidies are slowing investment decisions. For the construction industry, this means: supply chains for climate-optimized construction steel could be delayed, while stricter requirements for embodied carbon in steel structures (keyword: Level(s), EPDs) are taking effect across the EU. Without predictable industrial policy, Germany risks losing ground to competitors in Scandinavia and the Benelux countries, who are already installing green steel in pilot projects.