Offer for Polish steel mills

The Consortium composed of ARBED S.A., SALZGITTER AG, THYSSENKRUPP STAHL AG and USINOR S.A. has submitted a global offer on October 8th, 2001 for the acquisition of selected assets of the four Polish steel mills: Huta Katowice S.A., Huta im. T. Sendzimira S.A., Huta Cedler S.A. and Huta Florian S.A.

Considering Eastern Europe as a key growth market for steel, the Consortium foresees specific investment programs for the restructuring and the development of the four steel mills in order to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the Polish steel industry. Thus the Consortium is convinced that this offer will meet the expectations of the Polish Government as well as the competition principles of the European steel market. In parallel, the program will also stimulate the development of other steel related industrial branches in Poland.

Hence the successful reorganization of the Polish steel industry in terms of quality standards, productivity, profitability and an overall balance between supply and demand will not only strengthen the development of the Polish steel processing industry but will also contribute to the successful adhesion of Poland to the European Union.

As a confidentiality agreement was signed between the parties involved, the Consortium will reveal no further detail regarding the offer at this moment.

Duisburg, Luxembourg, Paris, Salzgitter, October 9th, 2001

ARBED
Press relations
Patrick Seyler +352 4792 2362
Investor relations
Yves Germeaux +352 4792 2438
Laurent Beauloye +352 4792 2434

Salzgitter
Press relations
Bernd Gersdorff +49 5341 21 23 00
Investor relations
Bernhard Kleinermann +49 5341 21 37 83

ThyssenKrupp / ThyssenKrupp Stahl
Press relations
Dietmar Stamm + 49 203 52 26 267
Investor relations
Dr. Martin Grimm + 49 211 82 43 64 64

USINOR
Press relations
Pierre Bourrier +33 1 41 25 69 04
Investor relations
Martine Hue +33 1 41 25 60 96
Guillaume Chevalier +33 1 41 25 97 11