Lobby and transparency report

The following contents incl. thyssenkrupp nucera (listed company with thyssenkrupp AG as majority shareholder)

Transparent business interest representation

We are living in times of tremendous entrepreneurial challenges. Geopolitical tension is rising, and the economy is being rocked by significantly more volatile forces. Our society must tackle climate change while developing ways to serve a rapidly aging population and enhancing its appeal to skilled workers.

The green transformation of our economy is both the greatest task and the greatest opportunity for Germany. Coordinated solutions are needed to ensure that Germany and Europe remain an attractive and competitive business location. In the face of this renewal program, our entrepreneurial activities are largely shaped by political decisions. This is because politics creates the framework for companies to implement their plans for the future.

We are actively taking on the challenges that lie ahead of us and want to help design good framework conditions. We add our voice to political and societal debates being conducted in Germany and Europe – constructively and progressively. An alliance of all relevant actors is the only way to seize the economic opportunities being created by the green transformation.

As part of our search for the best solutions, we conduct a continuous dialogue with political decision-makers and other groups. We want to be both a partner and an advisor. To this end, we make our broad sector and technical expertise available both directly and indirectly via various interest groups. This is how we lead the green transformation to success.

The trust of the general public is a fundamental precondition for our active role in the democratic process. Transparency is one key way to create this bond. This report about the way we represent our interests will help create it.

Overview Transparency Report

This Transparency Report is based on disclosure requirements on the German and European levels. For this reason, it draws on data from the German Lobby Register and the EU Transparency Register. The information provided in the Transparency Report is regularly updated following the release of the Annual Report. The reporting period of this Transparency Report covers the fiscal year 2022/2023 (October 2022 through September 2023).

Business interest representation done by thyssenkrupp outside the scope of the German Lobby Register and the EU Transparency Report (for instance, on the municipal, regional or state levels in Germany) is not covered.

Our guidelines for political business interest representation

We continuously strive to create added value for our customers, employees, shareholders, suppliers, partners and, ultimately, society as a whole. Our value-creation process is carried out against a backdrop of increasingly complex geopolitical and regulatory conditions. This situation requires continual interaction with political decision-makers, work that is conducted on the basis of clear rules. We apply the following guidelines in our business interest representation work:

Promote transparency: Our political business interest representation is conducted within a coordinated, open and transparent framework.
Observe clear rules: We are committed to a form of political business interest representation that is conducted on the basis of international and national law. We apply the principles of integrity and professionalism.
Apply standards: Regulatory and ethical standards are rigorously observed. We strictly follow the U.N. Convention Against Corruption and prohibit corrupt behavior as defined in this convention.
Pursue our corporate objectives: We introduce our commercial priorities and objectives into the political decision-making process and support them with our expertise as long-term partners and advisers.

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Our priorities for political business interest representation

We are committed to making a significant contribution to reducing our own CO₂ emissions and systematically conducting our activities on the basis of sustainability criteria. We are also determined to use our products and technologies to be a relevant partner for our customers – and, even more, an enabler of their own green transformation. This is why our commercial activities focus in particular on the areas of hydrogen, green chemicals, renewable energies and electromobility. Our technological focal points are:

We intend to advance the green transformation along the entire value chain with our hydrogen expertise. We will use tremendous amounts of hydrogen to produce climate neutral steel in the future and help to significantly lower harmful climate emissions. Thanks to the electrolysis specialist thyssenkrupp nucera, we are one of the few companies around the world that are capable of producing hydrogen on a giga scale.

Our plant engineers at Uhde are experts in the construction of facilities that produce ammonia – the transport medium used to import large quantities of green hydrogen to other countries.

In addition, thyssenkrupp Polysius offers solutions for CO₂ reduction at various points along the value chain in the cement industry, including new processes for complete CO₂ capture during the manufacturing process.

Our innovative bearings are a key component that is being used to rapidly expand wind energy, a form of power that is helping produce green hydrogen, among other things.

We also have other promising products and solutions in our portfolio that will play a major role in the success of the green transformation. These include our non-drive-dependent components used in automaking and the intelligently optimized supply chains at Materials Services.

Corporate priorities

We have set clear company priorities based on this strategy. We aim to accomplish two goals in the process. First, we as an enabler of the green transformation are committed to offering and applying our expertise and solutions. Second, we will work with our partners and ensure that the right conditions in which technologies of the future can be competitively produced and then applied are created.

During our political business interest representation activities, we strive to serve as a partner and advisor who are committed to facilitating the green transformation of industry and strengthening the competitiveness of Germany and Europe. As part of this commitment, we provide innovative and climate-protecting technology solutions and create conditions that will facilitate the green transformation of industry. We stand ready to serve as expert advisors. A long-term and regular dialogue with political stakeholders is an essential aspect of this work.

The green transformation is the focal point of our strategy. Consequently, it is also the leitmotif of our political business interest representation activities. To achieve the green transformation, we consider the broadest-possible financial support of technologies and processes to be essential.

This need applies in particular to the launch of the hydrogen economy, a step that will facilitate broad-scale decarbonization of industrial processes and energy provision. As we move closer and closer to creating a green hydrogen economy, we are following recommendations contained in Germany’s national hydrogen strategy and are supporting the use of blue hydrogen during a transition period. In addition, processes like carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be used to decarbonize industrial processes as soon as possible.

High energy prices represent one of Germany’s major business location shortcomings and are complicating the industrial transformation. To facilitate the transformation and protect high standards of living and jobs, the task of ensuring that energy prices remain stable and competitive over the long term is an issue of critical importance.

This is particularly the case in the electricity sector, an area that will become even more critical as the role of electricity continues to grow. We will be unable to maintain our industrial base without reliable supplies of green and low-cost electricity. For this reason, reductions in the high price of industrial electricity are critically important. We promote the systematic expansion of renewable energies and related infrastructure like power grids and energy storage units to ensure clean and affordable supplies.

In times of growing geopolitical tensions, the task of protecting fundamental technical capabilities and production capacities in Europe becomes an increasingly important matter. Strategically important industries include plant engineering, shipyards and steel production. We will be able to protect our value chains from external shocks only if we maintain these areas of expertise in Germany.

Through the production of climate neutral steel, German and European companies will lay the foundation for the global decarbonization of various industrial value chains. We are an integral member of these sectors and have a deep understanding of complex supply chains and the value chain extending from raw materials to the finished product. We promote resilient, diversified supply chains, the support of a strong European industrial base and the safeguarding of technical and industrial expertise. One critical aspect of this work is assuring the availability of skilled workers locally.

In order to survive in global competition, it is necessary to increase the attractiveness of Germany and Europe as a business location in the long term. Good regulatory conditions and efficient government agencies are two critical factors that facilitate industrial development.

In addition to areas previously mentioned, focal points include combating shortages of skilled workers, digitalizing government offices and accelerating planning and approval processes. Dismantling regulatory barriers can help to further increase competitiveness.

We have to ensure that the business community in Germany and Europe has fair competitive conditions. In addition to promoting promising technologies of the future, we support a strong European single market.

Trade association memberships

We share our goals and priorities with a large number of other societal actors. We have joined trade associations for the purpose of jointly conducting societal and political activity and effectively articulating our positions. We exchange information in these associations, bring together interests and formulate positions for political leaders and government agencies. These associations also serve as contacts for political leaders and government officials, and provide packages of information produced by its members. For this reason, we consider them to be an important aspect of the continuous dialogue with our industries and with other social actors.

The following list provides an overview of the trade association memberships of thyssenkrupp AG and our segments contained in the German Lobby Register and the European Transparency Register as well as a brief description of each association. These associations recognize the guidelines of our political business representation activities.

Note: The following list does not include any memberships in regional associations, standardization committees and required memberships.

We are committed to advancing the green transformation. This is our overarching strategic objective. We are not alone in this regard. Many other companies share our commitment as well. Consequently, we are members in many trade associations that represent our industries’ interests.

We work in these associations to draw attention to the needs and positions of our sectors within the framework of the political decision-making process. The leitmotif of our memberships in these associations is the green transformation. For this reason, we promote positions that advance this transformation both within the associations themselves and in our dealings with political leaders and government officials.

Our commitment is multifaceted. We view our positioning for the right conditions related to the green transformation as broad. For this reason, we promote a wide-ranging agenda along our entire value chain.

A.SPIRE – Association for Sustainable Process Industry through Resource and Energy Efficiency
This public-private project of the Horizon Europe Program promotes a circular economy and climate neutrality in Europe and strives to strengthen the continent’s competitiveness. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
APEAL – the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging
The association represents the interests of European steel producers regarding the regulation of packaging standards. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
BDI-Initiative Circular Economy
The initiative is a network of companies from a range of industries that promotes the development of holistic circular economies. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
German Association of the German Lime Industry
The German Association of the German Lime Industry is the trade association of German lime producers. It represents the industry’s interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. Until its existence, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG was a member of this organization.
DENA Market Offensive Renewable Energies
The objective of the initiative in which the German Energy Agency (DENA) of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry and companies work together is to strengthen business models for the direct provision of green energy. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
German Transport Forum
The association serves as a spokesman for German logistics companies and represents their interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association
As a trade organization, the association promotes the production and use of green hydrogen, particularly in the areas of mobility and energy provision. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG and thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA are members of the organization.
ESTEP – European Steel Technology Platform
This public-private project strives to improve the market position of the European steel industry in international competition through the use of innovative technologies. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
EUROFER – the European Steel Association
The association serves as a spokesman for European steel producers and represents their interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
H2Global Foudation
The foundation is funded by companies from a wide range of industries and promotes the development of markets for green hydrogen and power-to-X solutions. thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA is a member of this organization.
Hydrogen Europe
The association represents European companies that work with hydrogen and conducts the industry’s business interest representation. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
International Steel Trade Association
This international association serves as a spokesman for steel traders and represents industry interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. thyssenkrupp Steel Europoe AG is a member of this organization.
Platform Industry 4.0
The initiative of the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the German Ministry of Education and Research works with companies and the scientific community to promote the digital transformation of commercial production in Germany. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
The Climate Economy Foundation
This initiative of German companies promotes the achievement of German and European climate goals. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
VAIS Trade Association for Plant Engineering and Industry Service
The association represents German plant engineers in the areas of power plants and chemical facilities and thus the industry’s interests. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
German Association of the Automotive Industry
This association serves as a spokesman for German automakers and represents industry interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association
This association serves as a spokesman for the German mechanical engineering industry and represents industry interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Association of German Transport Companies
The association represents the business interests of public transportation and freight transport, particularly freight transported by rail. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
Association of German Cement Producers
The association serves as the spokesman of German cement producers and represents their interests in a dialogue with political stakeholders. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organisation and until its existence, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG was a member of this organization.
VIK – Association of the Industrial Energy and Power Industry
This association serves as a spokesman for energy-intensive production companies and represents industry interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG is a member of this organization.
VOICE – German Association of IT Users
The organization is an alliance of German companies that strives to promote the companies’ market position through the use of software and other digital instruments. thyssenkrupp AG and World Energy Council Germany are members of this organization.
The World Energy Council Germany
The World Energy Council Germany is the German branch of the World Energy Council and serves as a platform for discussions about global and long-range energy questions. In the process, it does its part to help develop the best-possible energy systems in the future. Until its existence, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG was a member of this organization.
The Steel Trade Association
The association represents the interests of German steel producers. Its primary objective is to help create political conditions that will enable steel to be competitively produced in Germany for many years to come. thyssenkrupp AG and thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG are members of this organization.

As a group that does business internationally, we are active in many markets around the world and are part of global supply chains. For this reason, one of our highest priorities is business relationships with other countries as well as the security and stability of these countries.

The creation of strategy autonomy certainly requires local capacities and expertise to be strengthened. We believe that it cannot and should not be separated from its international base. We believe that the aim should be derisking, that is, the diversification of supply chains, and not decoupling, that is, the complete severing of certain business relationships.

At the same time, Europe must reinforce its own economic stability. This is why we work in various trade associations to promote business relationships with other countries. We simultaneously support efforts to increase security and the sovereignty of our continent and our international partners.

The Africa Association of the German Business Community
The association promotes business relationships between Germany and the countries of Africa. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
American Chamber of Commerce in Germany e.V.
This association of German and U.S. companies fosters bilateral and, in particular, business relationships. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Asia-Pacific Committee of the German Business Community
The committee is an organization of German companies that promotes business relationships between German and countries in Asia. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Atlantik-Brücke e.V.
As its name suggests, this organization serves as an Atlantic bridge and works to strengthen ties among Germany, Europe and America. It serves as a network for business, political, academic and media decision-makers on both sides of the Atlantic. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Association of the German Security and Defense Industry
The association serves as a spokesman for German arms manufacturers and represents their interests in a dialogue with political decision-makers. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH is a member of this organization.
German Society for Military Technology
This association of members of the German security and defense industry works to ensure that the German military has the very-best equipment at its disposal. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH is a member of this organization.
Latin America Committee of the German Business Community
The committee is an association of German companies that promotes business ties between Germany and the countries of Central and South America. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
The German Eastern Business Association
The committee is an organization of German companies that promotes business relationships between Germany and countries in Eastern and Central Europe, Southern Europe, the Southern Caucasus and Central Asia. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization and until its existence,, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG was a member of this organization.
Association for Ship Making and Marine Engineering
The association represents German shipyards and suppliers for ship makers and marine engineering. It performs the industry’s business interest representation. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH is a member of this organization.

As a company, we take responsibility for the big picture. This is why we have also committed ourselves to issues that affect entire industries and society as a whole along with our business-related priorities.

We support various issues that affect society as a whole. Such areas include the scientific community, an improved work world and dialogue in political forums. The priorities that are drawn from our strategy form the basis of our engagement in each of the associations listed above.

Alliance of Opportunities
This cross-branch business initiative focuses on the evolving world of work, an area of change that includes digitalization, climate change and demographic developments in particular. It develops solutions to address the challenges related to them. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
German Association of Commercial Lawyers
The association is the largest independent lobbying organization for lawyers who work in the legal affairs departments of companies, institutions, trade associations and legal entities. Employees of the thyssenkrupp group of companies are members of this organization.
German Stock Institute
As an association of listed companies and institutions, the German Stock Institute strives to create good business conditions for high-performance capital markets. It also promotes stock as a financing and investment instrument and the strengthening of Germany as an international center of financial services. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
DECHEMA Society for Chemical and Biological Technology
The DECHEMA is a scientific-technical society that supports the development of chemical technologies and processes, and readies new research and development findings for use in the real world. Until its existence, thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG was a member of this organization.
German Investor Relations Association
The association is the largest European trade group that strives to create a bond between companies and capital markets. It serves as the link between issuers, investors and relevant intermediaries, and promotes professional quality standards. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Econsense Forum for Sustainable Development of the Germany Economy
Econsense is an alliance of German companies. Its objectives include promotion of sustainable development in such areas as climate and environmental protection as well as human rights. It members also help develop reporting standards. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research
This research society provides applied research and development services through its more than 80 research institutes. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Donor Association for the German Scientific Community
The donor association is an organization that is funded in particular by donations from German companies. It focuses on the promotion of education, science and innovation. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Association of German Company Physicians
The organization is the trade association of German company physicians and represents the interests of its medical members in Germany. It is the largest occupational health and safety trade association in Europe. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.
Association of German Engineers
The Association of German Engineers is the trade group of German engineers. In this role, it focuses on promoting technical science, developing young engineers, issuing certification marks and facilitating networking among engineers. Employees of the thyssenkrupp group of companies are members of this organization.
Economic Forum of the German Social Democratic Party
The forum organizes the dialogue between Social Democratic leaders and the German business community. thyssenkrupp AG is a member of this organization.

External advisors

Our political business interest representation is conducted not just by our own representatives and trade associations. External advisors also share their expertise with us, effectively articulate our priorities and positions, and communicate them. The following individuals and companies work for us within the scope of the German Lobby Register and the European Transparency Register:

Stefan Kaufmann assists companies, including thyssenkrupp AG, and government agencies with the transformation to and the development of or the participation in a hydrogen economy along the entire value chain. Stefan Kaufmann was formerly the innovation expert for green hydrogen at the German Ministry of Education and Research.

More informations

Martin Eckert advises thyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH and thyssenkrupp Polysius GmbH about legal and political matters. The focal point of his current consulting work is energy, industry and climate policies.

Gauly Advisors is a business consulting firm for strategy and communications. It advises thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG, among others, about questions regarding strategic direction and communications.

More informations

Deekeling Arndt is a consulting firm for strategic communications. Its advice helps thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG, among others, position itself in business, social and political debates.

More informations

Financial expenditures for political business interest representation

The job of political business interest representation also requires funding. For the fiscal year that ran from 10/22 to 09/23, the expenditures that we made within the scope of the German Lobby Register and the European Transparency Register will total between €3,450,003.50 and €3,784,999*. These expenditures are broken down into the following individual segments:

Expenditures for German political business interest representation

thyssenkrupp AG: €280,001– €290,000
thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG: €2,070,001 – €2,080,000 EUR
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems GmbH: €250,001 – €260,000
thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA: €100,001 – €110,000

Expenditures for European political business interest representation

thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG: €700,000 – €799,999

^{*Only half of the expenditures of thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KgaA is included in the total expenditures of thyssenkrupp AG because thyssenkrupp AG holds only a stake of 50.2 percent in thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA.}