Record result: The Dillinger Group and Saarstahl Group are creating the economic basis for the transformation

The Dillinger Group (Aktien-Gesellschaft der Dillinger Hüttenwerke with its subsidiaries) and the Saarstahl Group (Saarstahl AG with its subsidiaries) are reporting a financial year in succession. The 2022 results improved significantly once again compared to 2021. All this was achieved in a year marked by political and economic upheaval.

In addition to the sharp rise in revenues on the steel market in the first half of 2022 in view of the Russian war in Ukraine, this success was also the result of the consistent strategic realignment of the companies in the reporting period. The necessary flexibility was created for the results achieved. The cost-cutting program started in 2019 was successfully completed in 2022.

The steady rise in net revenues of both companies over the course of the year was offset by the likewise constantly rising cost of input materials. The increase in the cost of energy and raw materials posed major challenges for the economy as a whole from the middle of the year. Combined with rising inflation and massive uncertainty among consumers, this subsequently led to declining figures. Nevertheless, prices for the products of the companies were kept stable.

Investments at historic dimensions for greater climate protection were announced in December 2022. The Supervisory Boards of SHS – Stahl-Holding-Saar, Saarstahl AG and Aktien-Gesellschaft der Dillinger Hüttenwerke, the Board of Trustees of Montan-Stiftung-Saar, and the Board of Management of SHS – Stahl-Holding-Saar have jointly resolved to invest EUR 3.5 billion – subject to the approval of public funds – to transform the steel industry in the Saarland and enable production of green steel. Starting as early as 2027, up to 3.5 million tons of low-carbon steel will be produced annually in Saarland and carbon emissions will be cut by 4.9 million tons. In doing so, Saarland’s steel industry is laying the foundation for a new hydrogen-based value chain in Saarland, in addition to decarbonizing its own production. Transformation branding has also been developed to visually represent the transformation: “Pure Steel+”.

We are prepared for the next milestones

The results for the 2022 financial year have laid the foundation for the next milestones. While automotive, machinery and steel construction are in a downturn, the wind sector is experiencing a massive boom. The Dillinger Group has therefore developed a clear strategy for maintaining its ability to profit from the expansion of offshore wind energy. It is a technical leader in the production of thick plate for construction of offshore wind farms and this lead is continuously being extended. As a substantial recovery of vehicle production in Europe following the pandemic remains a long time coming and all major customer segments are showing recessionary tendencies, the Saarstahl Group will be tapping into other areas of business. 

The companies of the SHS Group will continue forging ahead with the transformation. Policymakers must create the right conditions to ensure that green steel is competitive. Germany has the highest industrial electricity price in Europe and price differences between individual European countries lead to distortions in competition. To remain competitive as a German company, the price of 4 cents/KWh announced by Chancellor Olaf Scholz in June 2021 is urgently needed. We therefore call for a competitive industrial electricity price.

The Dillinger Group and the Saarstahl Group are part of the solution and will continue to accelerate the energy and mobility transition with their products. In doing so, the companies are committed to developing strategic partnerships with customers, suppliers and stakeholders to lay the foundation for a successful future in the midst of what continue to be difficult political and economic influences.

Dr. Karl-Ulrich Köhler, Chairman of the Board of Management: “Despite difficult conditions in 2022, the companies outperformed the previous year’s results and stabilized at a high level. These results provide the necessary confidence needed for the next big steps on the path to producing “green” steel. This is also thanks to the commitment and passion of our employees, who have done a lot to achieve this success.”

Chief Financial Officer Markus Lauer: “The 2022 financial year was an exceptionally successful year for Dillinger and Saarstahl. The EBITDA margin improved significantly. Collectively, the companies have achieved EBITDA of €930 million (2021: €483 million). Due to geopolitical developments, we expect procurement costs to remain high, particularly for raw materials and energy. We will have to pass these on to the markets. This also results in high liquidity tied up in current assets. Saarstahl’s earnings are expected to fall in 2023 as the recession, declines in the construction and automotive sectors, and high energy costs take their toll. Dillinger will maintain a good earnings level due to the positive order situation in offshore wind.”

Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director Joerg Disteldorf: “Saarstahl Group and Dillinger Group remain the largest employers and job-training companies in the region. Thus, we carry a great responsibility. To successfully implement the transformation, the companies need qualified employees. Together with co-determination, we will pursue the path to green steel. Due to the difficult economic situation at Saarstahl in the second half of 2022, employees have been on short-time work schedules since December. It helps fulfill the intergenerational contract and safeguard employment in Saarland’s steel industry for the long term.”

 

Dillinger Group by the numbers		2021	2021
Purchases of hot metal, Dillinger1) Crude steel production, Dillinger Heavy plate production, Dillinger - of which in Dillingen - of which in Dunkirk (Dillinger France) Shipped/Sales of heavy plate, Dillinger Net sales (consolidated) Workforce, Dillinger Group Workforce, Dillinger (not including trainees) Trainees, Dillinger Group EBITDA3) EBIT3) Equity ratio Investments	kt kt kt kt kt kt € million 31/12 31/12   31/12 € million € million % € million	1,981 2,281 1,782 1,237 545 1,659 2,281 5,645 3,565   246 201.1 80.1 62.6 42.2	1,975 2,299 1,841 1,261 580 1,818 3,390 5,584 3,525   217 513.3 394.8 65.1 65.3

1) Total hot metal production by ROGESA Roheisengesellschaft Saar mbH amounted to
3,916 kt (2021: 4,260 kt).

2) Additional employees from the joint companies with Saarstahl: 1,060 (2021: 1,052) employees

3) Excluding equity update of the Saarstahl Group

The Saarstahl Group by the numbers		2021	2022
Purchases of hot metal, Saarstahl AG1) Crude steel production Rolled steel production Shipment (Saarstahl AG only) Net sales Workforce Saarstahl Group (not including trainees) Workforce Saarstahl AG (not including trainees) Trainees Saarstahl Group EBITDA2) EBIT2) Equity ratio Investments	kt kt kt kt € million 31/12   31/12   31"12 € million € million % € million	2,280 2,638 2,430 2,418 2,777 5,214   3,738   240 281.5 187.9 70.0 37.6	1,941 2,261 2,081 2,117 3,638 5,067   3,553   235 416.5 334.3 76.4 36.7

¹⁾ Total hot metal production by ROGESA Roheisengesellschaft Saar mbH amounted to
3,916 kt (2021: 4,260 kt).

²⁾ Additional employees from the joint companies with Dillinger: 1,060 (2021: 1,052) employees

³⁾ Excluding equity update of DHS Group (Dillinger Group)