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Steel and metal industry
The German steel and metal industry includes the steel, non-ferrous metals, foundry and steel and metal working industries. It is closely linked to other industrial sectors such as building and construction, the automotive industry, the electrical industry and mechanical engineering. As a basic industry, it develops new materials and intermediate goods, and thus contributes to the success of the process industries mentioned above which require a lot of steel and metal.
An employer with significant revenues
As a result of its innovative capabilities and high-quality products, the German steel industry has established itself as a leading producer in the European Union. Around half of the production output is exported to other countries. The non-ferrous metals and foundry industries are in similarly good competitive positions. At a European level, the German foundry industry is the undisputed leader in terms of revenue. In terms of production, it ranks fourth in the world after China, India and the US, in the same place as Japan. Just like the other branches of the steel and metal industry, the non-ferrous metals industry has experienced rapid growth after the recent economic crisis. In 2011, it generated revenues of € 54.9 billion, which was 26 percent more than in the previous year. In addition, the number of people employed by the industry is growing again. In 2011, companies with more than 50 employees created 17,800 new jobs in the steel and metalworking sector – an increase by almost 6 percent. Overall, the industry employs 420,000 workers in 4,800 companies. The metal industry employs a large proportion of university graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. In 2009, this group accounted for almost 60 percent of all university graduates employed in this industry.
Research that benefits the environment
In addition to developing new products, the German metal and steel industry focuses on objectives related to the energy, raw materials and the environment. The industry places particular emphasis on further improving the use of recycled materials. Recycled materials now account for 50 percent of the material used in the production process.
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Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology
Industry focus on steel and metal (German)
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Zulieferindustrie (ArgeZ)
Association representing the interests of (mostly) small and medium-sized companies in the public and political spheres
Bundesverband der Deutschen Gießerei-Industrie e.V. (BDG)
Information about the German foundry industry, technology and training opportunities (German)
Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Stahlrecycling und Entsorgungsunternehmen e.V.
Association representing the interests of companies offering steel recycling and waste management services (German)
The European Foundry Association (CAEF)
The umbrella organization of the European foundry industry deals with economic, technical and social issues. (English)
Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie e.V. (GDA)
Association of aluminium producers which aims to create awareness of aluminium as a raw material (German, English)
Institute of Casting Technology (IfG)
The Institute of Casting Technology offers research and laboratory facilities and provides the foundry industry with technology consulting and development.
The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
Here, you’ll find comprehensive information about steel production in Europe (English)
German Association of the Aluminium Recycling Industry (VAR)
German association for the recycling of light metals (German, English)
Wirtschaftsvereinigung Metalle e.V. (WVM)
Association representing the political interests of the non-ferrous metals industry (German)
Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl
Information about current economic prospects, areas of application, technology, research, training, job offers and collective bargaining in the steel industry (German, English)
Wirtschaftsverband Stahl- und Metallverarbeitung
Association representing the political interests of the steel and metals industry (German)
Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahlrohre e.V.
Association representing the interests of the German steel tube industry in the realms of politics, business and public affairs (German, English)
World Steel Association
International association of the world’s steel industry, representing steel producers, national and regional steel industries and steel research institutions (English, Chinese)
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