The Decarbonization in Industry – Air Protection and Noise Control conference, organized by the German-Serbian Chamber of Commerce, took place on November 4, 2024, at the Mona Plaza Hotel in Belgrade.
The event gathered key stakeholders to discuss the impact of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and Germany’s Supply Chain Act (LkSG) on industries in Serbia. The conference served as a vital forum for exploring the challenges and opportunities presented by these new regulatory frameworks and their implications for the Balkan region’s industrial landscape.
Representing Metalfer Group, Nikola Jančevski, CEO of Metalfer Invest, participated as a panelist in a discussion focused on the dual themes of CBAM and LkSG. Jančevski highlighted Metalfer’s leadership in sustainable steel production and its proactive approach to decarbonization, aligning the company’s strategies with global environmental standards. He also underscored Metalfer’s advocacy for the adoption of CBAM-equivalent regulations in Serbia, essential to preserving the competitiveness of local industries that have invested in clean technologies.
One of the conference’s key points was Metalfer Group’s status as a founding member of the Association of Energy-Intensive Industries, which actively promotes the need for Serbia to establish CBAM-aligned regulations. Through this association, Metalfer champions the critical importance of implementing policies that mirror the EU’s environmental standards to shield the Serbian market from high-emission imports as CBAM is fully enacted. Without these measures, Serbia risks becoming a destination for lower-cost, carbon-intensive products, which could undercut the advantages gained by companies like Metalfer, which prioritize sustainability.
Jančevski detailed Metalfer’s substantial progress in reducing CO₂ emissions far below global averages. While the steel industry worldwide typically emits between 1.8 and 2.2 tons of CO₂ per ton of steel produced, Metalfer’s advanced Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology achieves emissions of less than 0.5 tons per ton of steel, earning its steel the designation of “green steel” in carbon-conscious markets. Metalfer’s commitment to environmental responsibility is further demonstrated by its “Smart EAF” project, developed with Politecnico di Milano. This system integrates machine learning to adjust furnace parameters in real-time, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions of CO and CO₂. Additionally, Metalfer relies on 100% certified green electricity and operates solar installations with an existing 3 MW capacity, with plans to add another 35 MW.
By supporting regulatory alignment with the EU’s CBAM standards through the Association of Energy-Intensive Industries, Metalfer underscores its role as a leader in Serbia’s journey toward sustainable industrial practices. This advocacy not only protects the industry from unfair competition but also promotes a market environment where environmental responsibility is paramount, ensuring that Serbia’s industrial sector remains resilient and competitive in the face of evolving global standards.
One of the conference’s key points was Metalfer Group’s status as a founding member of the Association of Energy-Intensive Industries, which actively promotes the need for Serbia to establish CBAM-aligned regulations. Through this association, Metalfer champions the critical importance of implementing policies that mirror the EU’s environmental standards to shield the Serbian market from high-emission imports as CBAM is fully enacted. Without these measures, Serbia risks becoming a destination for lower-cost, carbon-intensive products, which could undercut the advantages gained by companies like Metalfer, which prioritize sustainability.
Jančevski detailed Metalfer’s substantial progress in reducing CO₂ emissions far below global averages. While the steel industry worldwide typically emits between 1.8 and 2.2 tons of CO₂ per ton of steel produced, Metalfer’s advanced Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology achieves emissions of less than 0.5 tons per ton of steel, earning its steel the designation of “green steel” in carbon-conscious markets. Metalfer’s commitment to environmental responsibility is further demonstrated by its “Smart EAF” project, developed with Politecnico di Milano. This system integrates machine learning to adjust furnace parameters in real-time, enhancing efficiency and reducing emissions of CO and CO₂. Additionally, Metalfer relies on 100% certified green electricity and operates solar installations with an existing 3 MW capacity, with plans to add another 35 MW.
By supporting regulatory alignment with the EU’s CBAM standards through the Association of Energy-Intensive Industries, Metalfer underscores its role as a leader in Serbia’s journey toward sustainable industrial practices. This advocacy not only protects the industry from unfair competition but also promotes a market environment where environmental responsibility is paramount, ensuring that Serbia’s industrial sector remains resilient and competitive in the face of evolving global standards.
