Slovakia will invest 317 million euros from the Recovery and Resilience Facility for the decarbonisation of the three largest CO2 emitters in the country: US Steel Košice, the largest integrated steel producer in Central Europe; the cement plant Danucem Slovensko Turňa nad Bodvou; and Wienerberger Slovakia, which belongs to the world’s largest producer of bricks.
According to the Ministry of Environment, these investments will save the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as produced by half a million Slovaks annually.
“Climate protection is an opportunity for our companies to gain competitive advantages in new technologies, innovate and generate new job opportunities,” said Milan Chrenko, Minister of the Environment. “Environmental responsibility is thus a chance to ensure Slovakia’s long-term prosperity based on a healthy environment and a higher quality of life in the regions.”
“The Recovery Plan is historically the greenest package of measures in Slovakia,” commented Lívia Vašáková, Deputy Prime Minister for the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and Utilisation of Euro funds. “In the field of green economy, there are dozens of important reforms and investments worth over two billion euros.”
US Steel Košice will receive 300 million euros to decarbonise its steel production by installing electric furnaces. Danucem Slovensko Turnňa nad Bodvou will receive 8.4 million euros to decarbonise its cement production and Wienerberger Slovakia will receive the remaining 8.4 million euros.
According to the Minister, other large industrial enterprises are also encouraged to apply to get funds for decarbonisation purposes.