30 years of large-scale recycling in Riesa: Since its foundation on 14 January 1992, FERALPI STAHL has processed around 24 million tonnes of scrap into some 21 million tonnes of steel in its steel works and rolling mill. “This represents a major contribution to the circular economy. But in our anniversary year, just as in all other years, we will not be resting on our laurels – instead we will be looking ahead, continuing to invest and producing even more efficiently,” says Uwe Reinecke, who has been at the helm of the Riesa-based company since his appointment as plant director in June last year. “Among other things this year, we are scheduled to complete the planning phase for a new rolling mill, and the slag hall should be enclosed by the spring of next year, which will drastically reduce noise and dust levels.”
 

These initiatives are of critical importance in the context of the major challenges facing the steel industry, which is playing a key role in Germany's journey to a climate-neutral economy. Low–CO₂ production processes and sustainable products should make a vital contribution towards meeting climate targets. “However, to achieve this, the appropriate political framework has to be put in place, to enable green steel production under fair conditions,” Uwe Reinecke points out.
 

There is a little light relief on the agenda as well, though. The anniversary will be celebrated, hopefully with all the company’s neighbours, pandemic permitting. FERALPI STAHL will be welcoming families to its traditional “Bella Gröba” event on 9 July. And the Open Day on 9 September will give the public a glimpse behind the scenes at the steelworks. What's more, nine of the company's 730–plus employees have a very special reason to raise their glasses, having been with the company since it was founded in 1992, 30 years ago.
 

There’s no missing the Riesa plant's anniversary - the company's been sporting a specially designed logo highlighting the occasion since the start of this year. “We’ve also got a new FERALPI STAHL logo that emphasises our affiliation with the Feralpi Group in Italy,” says Anna-Sophie Winkler, the marketing and communications officer. Incidentally, links between Riesa and Lonato – the location of the Feralpi headquarters – go beyond the corporate, with 2022 marking another special anniversary: it will be ten years since the two towns were twinned with each other.