Salzgitter
Salzgitter AG is one of Europe's largest steel producers with approximately 7 million tonnes of annual output, operating four business units (Steel Production, Steel Processing, Trading, Technology) and serving automotive, construction, defense, industrial machinery, and renewable energy customers. Its flagship SALCOS program targets near-CO2-free hydrogen-based steelmaking supported by EUR 1.3 billion in public funding.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1858
- HeadquartersSalzgitter, Germany
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Salzgitter does
Salzgitter AG is one of Europe's largest integrated steel producers, with origins dating to 1858, annual crude steel output of approximately 7 million tonnes, and operations structured into four business units: Steel Production (Stahlerzeugung), Steel Processing (Stahlverarbeitung), Trading (Handel), and Technology. The group serves B2B industrial customers across automotive (notably a closed-loop scrap partnership with Volvo Cars at Olofstr\u00f6m), construction and infrastructure (via the Construction Initiative launched March 2026), defense (SECURE ballistic protection steels grades 400-600, expanded through the December 2025 acquisition of Thyrolf & Uhle GmbH with 100 employees and 12,000+ tons annual processing capacity), industrial machinery, and renewable energy (offshore wind tower plate supply to Siemens Gamesa and CO2-reduced steel testing with RWE for the Thor wind farm).
The company's flagship transformation program is SALCOS (Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking), a hydrogen-based direct reduction and electric arc furnace (DRP-EAF) route targeting 95% CO2 emission reduction versus the conventional blast furnace path, with first-stage steel production targeted for 2027. The EUR 2.7 billion program is supported by EUR 1.3 billion in German government funding and executed with technology partners Tenova, Danieli, Primetals, ANDRITZ (100 MW electrolyzer), Siemens Energy, and ENERGIRON, plus a long-term 10,000 metric tons per year green hydrogen offtake with EWE for seven years starting 2030 and PPAs with Ørsted, Vattenfall, and Iberdrola Deutschland (including a 65 MWp solar plant supplying 60 GWh annually for 15 years). Other proprietary technologies include the jointly developed Iridium Recycling Process for electro-galvanizing anodes (with Umicore).
Revenue is generated through direct enterprise field sales to OEMs and EPCs, supplemented by trading operations via Salzgitter Mannesmann Stahlhandel. Steel is priced per tonne with EU safeguard measures effective November 2025 imposing ferro-alloy surcharges of EUR 2-5/tonne for bulk commodities and EUR 20-50/tonne for specialty grades. FY2025 sales were approximately EUR 9 billion, down ~10% from EUR 10 billion in FY2024, with FY2025 EBITDA of EUR 376 million; Q1 2026 underlying EBITDA of EUR 280 million (a EUR 201 million YoY improvement) and EUR 95 million EBT versus a EUR 27 million loss in Q1 2025 supported a raised FY2026 EBITDA guidance of EUR 625-725 million. The group holds a 29.99% stake in copper producer Aurubis, and market capitalization was approximately EUR 2.48 billion on the OTCMKTS (SZGPY) listing.
Salzgitter firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Salzgitter
- Legal name
- Salzgitter AG
- Website
- https://salzgitter-ag.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1858
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Salzgitter AG is one of Europe's largest steel producers with approximately 7 million tonnes of annual output, operating four business units (Steel Production, Steel Processing, Trading, Technology) and serving automotive, construction, defense, industrial machinery, and renewable energy customers. Its flagship SALCOS program targets near-CO2-free hydrogen-based steelmaking supported by EUR 1.3 billion in public funding.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Salzgitter industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Steel Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing (331110), Iron and Steel Pipe and Tube Manufacturing from Purchased Steel (33121)
- SIC
- Steel Works, Blast Furnaces & Rolling & Finishing Mills (3310), Steel Pipe & Tubes (3317)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Integrated Steelmaking (BF-BOF) (IMAKABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty & Alloy Steel (Stainless, Tool Steel, Electrical Steel, High-Strength/HSLA) (IMAKABAJ), Coated & Plated Steel (Galvanized, Galvalume, Tinplate, Electrogalvanized, Color-Coated) (IMAKABAG)
Keywords
Where Salzgitter is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Salzgitter
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices9 records
Markets served
Salzgitter business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Steel Production and Processing: Primary revenue from manufacturing and processing steel products including flat steel, heavy plate, and specialized steel for defense, automotive, and construction applications
- Steel Trading: Revenue from trading operations through Salzgitter Mannesmann Stahlhandel GmbH, trading steel products globally
- Defense and Security Steel Products: Specialized security and ballistic protection steel products through Thyrolf & Uhle acquisition for military and infrastructure applications
- Technology Solutions: Technology segment including KHS bottling equipment, automation solutions, and industrial services
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | EU safeguard ferro-alloy surcharges |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Salzgitter product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Salzgitter AG manufactures and processes steel products across four business units: Steel Production (flat steel via blast furnace and direct reduction), Steel Processing, Trading (via Salzgitter Mannesmann Stahlhandel), and Technology. Its flagship program SALCOS (Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking) uses renewable hydrogen and direct reduction to produce near-CO2-free green steel, targeting 95% CO2 reduction. The group also supplies SECURE protection steel grades 400-600 for defense and infrastructure, heavy plate for offshore wind towers, large-diameter line pipe for hydrogen and oil & gas pipelines, and operates a closed-loop scrap recycling partnership (ScanLoop) with Volvo Cars.
Product overview
Salzgitter AG is a German steel and technology group with a diversified portfolio organized into four core business units: Steel Production (Stahlerzeugung), Steel Processing (Stahlverarbeitung), Trading (Handel), and Technology. The company operates major strategic initiatives including SALCOS (its flagship decarbonization program for near-CO2-free steelmaking using hydrogen-based direct reduction, targeting 95% CO2 reduction), its sub-brand SALCOS Grünstahlprodukte for green steel products, Initiative Construction for integrated construction sector solutions, Initiative Automotive for automotive materials development, and Salzgitter AG Defence for military and security applications including SECURE Protection Steel. The group expanded its defense capabilities through the December 2025 acquisition of Thyrolf & Uhle GmbH, a metal-processing specialist for ballistic protection and security steels. Industrial participations include a 29.99% stake in copper producer Aurubis, with the group maintaining a focus on circular economy through initiatives like the ScanLoop closed-loop recycling partnership with Volvo Cars.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SALCOS: Low CO2 steelmaking program for near CO2-free steel production using hydrogen-based direct reduction
- SALCOS Grünstahlprodukte
- SECURE Protection Steel
- Initiative Construction
- Initiative Automotive
- Salzgitter AG Defence
- ScanLoop
- YOUNITED
Products and services
- SALCOS (Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking) Flagship transformation program for near-CO2-free steel production using renewable hydrogen and direct reduction technology, targeting 95% CO2 emission reduction. Developed for steel customers in automotive, construction, defense, and industrial sectors seeking decarbonized supply chains.
- SALCOS Grünstahlprodukte (Green Steel Products) Physical CO2-reduced green steel products with transparent certification, produced through the group's electric arc route with DRP-EAF route products following in H1 2027. Sold to industrial customers requiring certified low-carbon steel.
- SECURE Protection Steel Security and ballistic protection steels in grades 400 through 600, certified under TL-2350-0000 and DIN 2303 Q3 BK standards. Designed for military vehicles, infrastructure protection, and high-security applications; processed via Thyrolf & Uhle GmbH (Dessau-Roßlau).
- Steel Production (Stahlerzeugung) Primary steel manufacturing operations including blast furnace and direct reduction capabilities producing flat steel products at the Salzgitter facility for industrial customers.
- Steel Processing (Stahlverarbeitung) Steel processing and fabrication operations within the Salzgitter Group, including heavy plate production at Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH and pipe manufacturing at Mannesmann Line Pipe and Mannesmann Grossrohr.
- Steel Trading (Handel) Steel trading operations handled through subsidiaries Salzgitter Mannesmann Stahlhandel GmbH and UNIVERSAL Eisen und Stahl GmbH, distributing steel products globally to enterprise customers.
- Technology Technology solutions and services within the Salzgitter Group, including KHS GmbH beverage packaging equipment and Klöckner DESMA Elastomertechnik GmbH elastomer technology for industrial customers.
- Hydrogen Pipeline Line Pipe (FGL 702) Large-diameter line pipe for hydrogen transportation networks, supplied via Mannesmann Grossrohr (70.6 km) and Mannesmann Line Pipe (38.2 km) for Germany's hydrogen core network. Delivered to gas transmission operators.
Quantifiable outcome
- 95% CO2 emission reduction in steel production through SALCOS transformation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Salzgitter
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Salzgitter technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Salzgitter partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.
- EWEcoreLandmark long-term green hydrogen supply agreement with German energy group EWE for approximately 10,000 metric tons annually over seven years starting 2030, supporting SALCOS decarbonization through direct reduction plants
- Volvo CarscoreClosed-loop recycling partnership ScanLoop with Volvo Cars for steel scrap recovery from Olofström plant, 700km rail route to Salzgitter using carbon-neutral electricity
- UmicorestrategicJoint development of cost-efficient iridium recovery process from electro-galvanizing anodes with Umicore Galvanotechnik and Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung
- ØrstedcorePower purchase agreement (PPA) with offshore wind developer Ørsted to supply green electricity for decarbonized steel production at Salzgitter facilities
- VattenfallcorePower purchase agreement with Vattenfall for renewable electricity supply supporting green steel production through decarbonization program
- Iberdrola DeutschlandcorePower purchase agreement with Iberdrola Deutschland including 65MWp solar plant at Schadewohl supplying 60GWh annually for 15 years, avoiding 23,000 tonnes CO2 per year
- ONTRAS Gastransport GmbHstrategicLine pipe contracts for FGL 702 hydrogen pipeline: Mannesmann Grossrohr delivering 70.6km and Mannesmann Line Pipe delivering 38.2km for Germany's hydrogen core network
- Tenova S.p.A.coreTechnology partner for SALCOS direct reduction and steelmaking equipment development
- Danieli & C. S.p.A.coreTechnology partner for SALCOS steel production equipment and process technology
- Primetals Technologies Ltd.coreTechnology partner providing equipment and engineering for SALCOS transformation program
- ANDRITZ AGcoreEquipment supplier and partner for 100MW electrolyzer at Flachstahl site in SALCOS hydrogen infrastructure
- Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology partner for hydrogen-related equipment and energy systems in SALCOS program
- ENERGIRONcoreDirect reduction technology provider for hydrogen-based ironmaking in SALCOS transformation
- Wasserstoff Campus SalzgitterstrategicRegional hydrogen ecosystem initiative supporting hydrogen economy development in Salzgitter region
- HySteelstrategicGerman hydrogen steel industry initiative for coordinated decarbonization efforts
- H2Global StiftungstrategicHydrogen market development foundation supporting green hydrogen trade and commercialization
- GET H2strategicInitiative for hydrogen infrastructure development in Germany supporting SALCOS hydrogen supply chain
- WindH2 - Windwasserstoff SalzgitterstrategicProject combining wind power and hydrogen production in Salzgitter for renewable energy integration
- GrInHy2.0 - Green Industrial HydrogenstrategicEuropean research project for green industrial hydrogen applications in steelmaking
- μDRAL - Hydrogen Direct ReductionstrategicResearch initiative for micro-DRAL hydrogen direct reduction technology development
Scale indicators20 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Salzgitter competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Salzgitter social profiles
Digital presenceSalzgitter compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Salzgitter financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Salzgitter leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Salzgitter subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries12 records
Salzgitter funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Salzgitter M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Salzgitter
What does Salzgitter do?
Salzgitter AG manufactures and processes steel products across four business units: Steel Production (flat steel via blast furnace and direct reduction), Steel Processing, Trading (via Salzgitter Mannesmann Stahlhandel), and Technology. Its flagship program SALCOS (Salzgitter Low CO2 Steelmaking) uses renewable hydrogen and direct reduction to produce near-CO2-free green steel, targeting 95% CO2 reduction. The group also supplies SECURE protection steel grades 400-600 for defense and infrastructure, heavy plate for offshore wind towers, large-diameter line pipe for hydrogen and oil & gas pipelines, and operates a closed-loop scrap recycling partnership (ScanLoop) with Volvo Cars.
Is Salzgitter a public or private company?
Salzgitter is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Salzgitter founded?
Salzgitter was founded in 1858. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Salzgitter based?
Salzgitter is headquartered in Salzgitter, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Salzgitter make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Steel Production and Processing is the primary driver. The others are steel Trading, defense and Security Steel Products and technology Solutions.
Does Salzgitter have an API?
No public API is recorded for Salzgitter.
What industry is Salzgitter in?
Salzgitter's product category is Steel Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKABAA, Integrated Steelmaking (BF-BOF), with a secondary code of IMAKABAJ, Specialty & Alloy Steel (Stainless, Tool Steel, Electrical Steel, High-Strength/HSLA). Its NAICS code is 331110 and its SIC code is 3310.