What impact will the European carbon offsetting mechanism CBAM have? What opportunities does digitalization offer the SME steel trade? And how can I use AI profitably in my company? The ESH EURO STAHL-Handel Meet & Connect provided plenty of impetus and topics for discussion on these current industry topics far beyond the network meeting. Numerous decision-makers from among its members and suppliers accepted ESH’s invitation to Morschen in northern Hesse yesterday, Tuesday. “We are really pleased with the large number of participants and the positive response we received at the event,” said E/D/E Managing Director Jürgen Laukandt on behalf of the E/D/E steel trading subsidiary’s team, which was fully represented in Morschen. The E/D/E Managing Directors Dr. Andreas Trautwein (Chairman), Peter Jüngst (Steel, among others) and Marco Statt (Information Technology) also took the opportunity to talk to the managers and entrepreneurs from the steel industry.
The conference section on Tuesday afternoon provided thematic impetus for the numerous discussions in the evening. Following an overview of current developments in the association and the market by Peter Jüngst, ESH Authorized Representative Andreas von Helden reported on the various digitalization initiatives that E/D/E and ESH are currently focusing on. These include the further development of the ESH portal, the new works certificate service and the various online stores in the E/D/E environment, which can also be used to sell steel products. Frank Düringer, Head of MRO Connecting Solutions, shed light on the principle of Europe-wide supply networks behind this concept and made it clear that steel products are also among the product ranges in demand within this framework.
Controversial discussions followed Dr. Ulf Narloch’s presentation on CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism). The environmental economist and founder of the Berlinger consulting agency CO2iq explained the background to this EU regulation, which will come into force in 2026. One thing is clear: steel will become more expensive as a result. However, it is not yet clear on what basis the price increases will be calculated and how high they will be. And whether CBAM will protect European manufacturers to the desired extent and pave the way for green steel? The future will have to show that too … The fact that the future is happening right now was made clear at the end of the presentation by filmmaker and entrepreneur Florian Arndt, a well-known AI speaker. Whether translations, writing emails or minutes – these are just some of the tasks that artificial intelligence is doing for us. What is already possible today and what will be possible impressed the audience and made it clear that it is essential for every entrepreneur to engage with AI.
