Archie Steelman schreef op 3 mei 2016 16:56:
Mr, Lakshmi N. Mittal, ArcelorMittal Chairman and CEO, said:
"This year we have attempted to take a first step towards integrated reporting, explaining the company's ability to create not just financial value but also social, human and environmental value.
"In 2015, we faced a low pricing environment for both raw material and steel prices, with increasing levels of imports impacting pricing, and ArcelorMittal's financial performance. We were, however, successful in reducing the cash requirements of the business and reducing net debt to the lowest level since the ArcelorMittal merger - a considerable achievement in such difficult operating conditions.
"It is clear that we are facing a structural change, not simply a prolonged down-cycle. For ArcelorMittal, there are two clear imperatives which we believe are the foundations of long-term success. The first is to have an efficient asset base producing quality products, which is capable of delivering enhanced levels of returns; and the second is to have a strong balance sheet. We announced earlier this year a roadmap to achieving this via a US$3bn capital raise and a new five-year strategic plan, Action 2020."
Commenting on the review's sustainability content, Mr Mittal added:
"It is also important to have strong safety and sustainability credentials. We can see the increasing importance our customers and other stakeholders are putting on sustainability issues, and it is important that we can convincingly demonstrate that these issues matter for us as well and are integrated into the way we do business."