Energy costs are exploding, leading companies are faced with millions of extra costs – production stops and short-time working are threatened. Entrepreneurs are disappointed in politics.
Even bare figures can have a dramatic effect: Stahl Judenburg will pay 12 million euros more for energy this year. The Hendrickson factory has three million euros, just as much on the Wuppermann site.
The three industrial companies are located in the immediate vicinity of the district capital of Murtal. They are all energy intensive – and their directors, along with representatives from other leading regional companies, have now turned to the public. “Many companies are at the limit. They are considering reducing production and introducing shorter working hours,” reports Florian Hampel. As chairman of the “Kraft. Das Murtal” provides insight into the economic situation in the region.
Clearly at a disadvantage in Asia
“We have to pass the high energy costs on to the customer,” emphasizes Heinz Kettner of Stahl Judenburg. The big catch: 90 percent of the products are exported, for example to Asia. But there is no energy crisis there and the now much more expensive European products are losing their competitiveness.
But also within Europe, Austrian companies are under pressure, as Armin Gößler, head of Hendrickson, a manufacturer of truck springs, explains. A major competitor is located in Spain. They benefit there from the gas price ceiling, which does not exist in Austria. “This is an unacceptable situation, we need a unified EU solution,” Gößler demands.
Sustainability projects stopped
The situation at the Wuppermann plant, where slit strips and pipes are produced, is similar: here too international competition is gaining more and more cost advantages. “Raw material from South Korea is now processed in Turkey and is penetrating the European market. In a year we will feel it strongly,” says general manager Hubert Pletz.
EUR 14 million is currently being invested in the site – and the goal is to be carbon neutral by 2030. But these projects have been halted, “we need the money for the energy crisis”.
Politics is taken into account
The example of the pulp mill in Pöls shows that the concerns go far beyond electricity prices. According to technical director Heinz-Peter Schnedl, the latter can produce the energy for the two paper mills itself, but rising wood prices, short-term supply disruptions for chemicals and customer insolvency are causing problems. “We are driving in the fog, the development is uncertain.”
The representatives of the company hold politics to account. This should ensure “stable, competitive framework conditions”, the solutions should be found at European level. But there, a gas price ceiling has again become less likely.
Too little help from the federal government
After months of hesitation, the federal government recently approved the energy cost subsidy for businesses. In the case of Stahl Judenburg, however, this aid is more or less offset by the new CO2 tax and the sudden electricity tax (€170,000 for August and September alone), Kettner reports. His sobering conclusion: “The industry will definitely be let down.”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
