Restructuring process of the Polish steel industry

On October 8th, 2001, the Consortium composed of ARCELOR S.A., SALZGITTER AG and THYSSENKRUPP STAHL AG had submitted a global offer 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.

The submitted offer expired by end of 2001, but all Consortium members are still interested to participate in the successful reorganisation of the Polish steel industry. The latest developments in this privatisation process, with the creation of Polskie Huty Stali (PHS) and its foreseen investment programme, however, appear not to be in line anymore with the aforementioned developed offer.

In view to continue the jointly realised studies and in order to respect the interests of its members, the Consortium members decided to continue acting on an individual basis in the future. Each member will have the opportunity to represent itself directly in this privatisation process and contact the Polish authorities in order to receive clarification and initiate further actions on the new terms and timing of the privatisation process of the Polish steel industry.

Duisburg, Luxembourg, Salzgitter, June 26th, 2002

Arcelor
Press relations
Patrick Seyler +352 4792 2362
Jean Lasar +352 4792 2359

Investor Relations
Martine Hue +352 4792 2151

Salzgitter
Press relations
Bernd Gersdorff +49 5341 21 23 00

Investor Relations
Bernhard Kleinermann +49 5341 21 37 83

ThyssenKrupp / ThyssenKrupp Steel
Press relations
Erwin Schneider +49 203 52 2 56 90
Dietmar Stamm +49 203 52 2 62 67

Investor Relations
Dr. Martin Grimm +49 211 82 43 64 64