Page 9 - Best of STIL 2018 English

Groundbreaking ceremony at Ilsenburger Grobblech Gmbh (from left to right): Dr. Roger Schlim, Chairman of the Executive Management at ILG; Professor Heinz Jörg Fuhrmann, Chairman of the Executive Board at SZAG; Dr. Reiner Haseloff, Minister President; Professor Armin Willingmann, Minister for Economic Affairs; Burkhard Becker and Michael Kieckbusch, both members of the Executive Board of SZAG
to build up a PEM electrolysis plant. Both facilities will produce hydrogen within the works itself. PEM electrolysis is embedded within the “Salzgitter Clean Hydrogen” project conducted with our partners Avacon AG and Linde AG (see page 30), in which we are also aiming
to additionally generate electricity with seven wind power plants.
This will see us realize one of the very first projects of practiced cross-sector interconnection! As I said: We aren’t just stopping at declaring our intentions and producing glossy brochures – we are tack- ling the incredibly challenging transition to hydrogen-based steel production in concrete steps.
STIL: This must involve considerable investment.
Prof. Fuhrmann: That’s right! And this is precisely why SALCOS cannot become a reality without considerable initial public financing – this is clear and we are also communicating this openly. By the way, this type of approach is nothing unusual; other companies have also received public start-up financing.
For the sake of completeness and hon- esty, it should be noted that the electric- ity consumed in electrolysis cannot be subject to the EEG apportionment.
This isn’t an undue demand but merely the basis for establishing a level interna- tional playing field. If this is guaranteed, the SALCOS project has an outstanding chance of becoming a technological and environmental success while maintaining economic competitiveness!
STIL: That sounds very convincing. What is your view of public discourse on energy and industry policy aims in general? Prof. Fuhrmann: The discussions are not always conducive to producing rational solutions. Far too often, we tend towards hysteria and emotion-driven judgments. It is quite remarkable how roles are assigned in discussions regarding climate protection, future energy generation and mobility, for instance, and how selective- ly facts are sometimes viewed or even phased out.
Unfortunately, we are increasingly forgetting what has made a sizable con- tribution to the prosperity of our society and therefore its social stability: Germany has the highest degree of industrialization in Europe. This is the basis and reference point for many other economic activi- ties. We should not be so misguided as
to damage the foundation on which our prosperity is built. As a representative
of industry, one is frequently generally suspected of only being interested in maximizing profits. Those who base their position on facts and logic are often given an unqualified roasting – something which is clear to see in some talk show discussions.
Whoever even dares oppose the main- stream view runs the risk of being mor- ally discredited. At times, this is reminis- cent of the rule of the Jacobins, who also proclaimed virtue to be of paramount importance and claimed it for themselves. But we don’t need any views to be off lim- its: instead, our pluralist society urgently needs rational discussion and debate (in
the best sense of the word) with other opinions and judgments. This is the only way to find lasting, effective solutions built on a consensus-based reconciliation of interests.
STIL: What aspects of 2019 are you look- ing forward to for Salzgitter AG and on a personal level?
Prof. Fuhrmann: Success in business
is fleeting. We should not sit back in self-satisfaction over the more than presentable development of Salzgitter AG, particularly over the last five years. Unless I’m very much mistaken, we are entering a more turbulent economic phase. From 2013 onwards, we succeeded in restruc- turing the parts of the Group which were in the red. Now the goal is to guide the subsidiaries a step closer to optimum performance. This makes the Group more resistant and secures the vast majority of jobs.
The fact that we are living through some unsettled times should not daunt us too much, but promote agility, imagina- tion and creativity. Which is just the way we mastered the last 20 years.
I personally feel a certain satisfaction and gratitude because I was intensively involved in the important decisions
over the last two decades and was able
to help navigate the way forward. As a realistic optimist, I look forward to the tasks ahead. We are a great team. With expertise and honest hard work, instead of pomp or celebrity status, we have held our own in the premier league of indus- try. And that’s how we intend to continue.
SALZGITTER INSIDE 9
Photo: Carsten Brand