Stop metal imports from Russia and focus more on sustainability of German industry – we need a raw material transition
On 24 February 2022, the Russian military attacked Ukraine and invaded the country. This war, which violated international law, was condemned by the United Nations and large sections of civil society and business worldwide and triggered a global wave of solidarity with Ukraine.
Another reaction to the attack was comprehensive sanctions against Russian politics and economy. While the US imposed an import ban on Russian oil, gas and coal imports, the EU, and Germany in particular, has not joined this measure. The dependencies are too great, the effects are too strong, especially on German industry. In this paper, we discuss Germany's dependence on Russia for raw materials and explain why it needs both a stop to Russian metal imports and the initiation of a turnaround in raw materials.
Addendum of 4 April 2022: Thyssenkrupp also answered our questions. The group wrote that almost all new business in Russia has already ceased and that alternative sources of supply are gradually being developed, especially for coal and ore products for steel production.
An overview of our work on the turnaround in raw materials can be found here.
