Kurt Satzinger succeeds Franz Androsch, voestalpine’s long-standing Head of R&D, who is retiring. voestalpine is one of the most research-intensive companies in Austria, counting around 800 R&D employees in over 70 companies and more than 100 scientific partners worldwide. The focus of research activities is increasingly on digital and resource-saving products and processes. The Group has allocated a record research budget of EUR 231 million for the current business year 2024/25.

voestalpine has produced the world’s first high-quality “green” wire rod from hydrogen-reduced pure iron and scrap at its site in Donawitz. The hydrogen-reduced pure iron was produced in the Hyfor pilot plant, while the landmark melting was carried out in the Group’s own Technikum Metallurgie research facility, a unique small but complete steel plant. The CO₂-reduced steel was further processed in the wire rod mill to produce roller-bearing steel, which is characterized by its particular hardness and wear resistance. The production of high-quality, CO₂-reduced steel grades is one of the biggest technological challenges in the transition to green steel production.

With greentec steel, voestalpine has a clear plan for decarbonizing steel production. voestalpine is not alone in its mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: more and more customers also want to reduce their carbon footprint by using high-quality CO₂-reduced premium steel. The steel and technology Group is already providing 35 companies from various industries with superior steel products in the greentec steel Edition. Designer furniture, wind turbines, and cranes are just a few examples of products that can be manufactured more sustainably through an optimized production process. voestalpine itself recently used the green steel to build a new belt conveyor, which will also supply the planned electric arc furnace (EAF) in Linz with raw materials in the future.

The Management Board of voestalpine AG is reacting to the changed economic conditions for industrial manufacturing companies and is reorganizing production sites in Germany. This step is a consistent implementation of voestalpine Group's strategy of focusing the materials business on the highest quality spectrum and expanding the downstream business in promising global segments.

As reported, Robert Ottel leaves voestalpine on March 31, after a total of 27 years at the company, 19 of which as the Group’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The respected financial expert has not extended his contract, and plans to pursue new professional challenges. This marks the end of an era at voestalpine.

Construction work for Austria’s largest climate protection program is already in full swing. By commissioning Primetals Technologies Austria GmbH to supply the electric arc furnace (EAF)—the technological heart of the transformation to steel production powered by green electricity—voestalpine has taken an important next step in realizing this major project.