Future Steelworks Proposal Endorsed by Kretschmann: One Plant Seen as Sustainable
The steelworks stationed at Kehler Rhine harbor, a lone beacon in the southwest, as declared by Minister President Winfried Kretschmann, should maintain its permanent competitive edge. "I view this type of steelworks as environmentally friendly at its core," said the Green party member in Kehl, acknowledging the Badische Stahlwerke (BSW). This industrial powerhouse is a paragon of the circular economy, reusing steel scrap in its production processes.
The BSW take pride in being one of Germany's largest electric steelworks. As per the industry association Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl, the BSW ranked seventh in the nationwide production of crude steel, based on 2022 figures. A prominent challenge for the steel industry is overproduction on a global scale.
Merger with Dutch counterparts
CEO Florian Glück pointed out that the Kehler facility had been operating below full capacity for some time. This circumstance led to collaborating with the Dutch Van Merksteijn Steel Group, one of Europe's largest wire processors. "Now, we can fully utilize our capacity," stated the manager, alluding to the Kehler site.
Approximately two months ago, the Southwest Group (which includes the BSW) and Van Merksteijn Steel Group established a holding company in the Netherlands, named the Reinforcing Steel Europe Group (RSE). By doing so, the RSE positions itself as one of Europe's leading reinforcing steel manufacturers. This category refers to steel bars used in concrete components.
Previously, the family-owned Southwest Group consisted of the BSW, the Moselstahlwerk in Trier, and eight wire-processing facilities. Together, they employed roughly 1,800 individuals.
Insights from Enrichment:
- The Reinforcing Steel Europe Group (RSE) was officially launched as a joint venture between families behind Badische Stahlwerke (BSW) and Van Merksteijn Steel Group in June 2025[1].
- RSE aims to lead in Europe's reinforcing steel production and processing, with headquarters in Almelo, the Netherlands[2].
- This strategic merger enhances market position and capabilities, implying future plans for expansion and modernization[2].
- While specific future initiatives aren't explicitly stated, industry trends suggest a focus on sustainability and clean technology may be on the horizon[3].
- The CEO of Badische Stahlwerke (BSW), Florian Glück, has emphasized that the merger with the Dutch Van Merksteijn Steel Group will enable the Kehler facility to reach full capacity, thereby strengthening its position in the Germany's manufacturing industry.
- The establishment of the Reinforcing Steel Europe Group (RSE) through the merger of the family-owned Southwest Group (which includes BSW) and Van Merksteijn Steel Group positions RSE as one of Europe's leading manufacturers in the reinforcing steel sector, a category that encompasses steel bars used in concrete components.
- As RSE expands and modernizes its operations, it is expected to focus on industry trends such as sustainability and clean technology, aligning with the BSW's commitment to environmentally friendly manufacturing practices in the steel industry.
