Tata Steel to close Port Talbot blast furnaces

Commenting on the news that Tata Steel is to close both blast furnaces at its Port Talbot works in South Wales [1], Jess Ralston, analyst at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said: "These jobs did not have to be lost. A proper planned transition to the steel industry of the future, including hydrogen, could have kept these jobs in communities that need them. The rest of the world is growing their industry and keeping their jobs in steel. The UK industry will have to transition or face decline.

"We're currently falling behind Europe in the development of green steel manufacturing, as demand for the product is set to increase. There are around 40 green steel plants in Europe, which are moving away from older coal plants but keeping jobs in steel. Does the UK have a long-term, strategic plan for industry?"

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Tata Steel to close furnaces, with 3,000 jobs at risk: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/liv...

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: +44 (0)7894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net