Czech billionaire eyeing stake in Thyssenkrupp steel division - source

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional SA

23/06/2023 12:00

June 23 (Reuters) - Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky
is interested in acquiring a stake in Thyssenkrupp's  TKAG.DE 
steel business, which is currently looking for a buyer or
co-owner, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on
Friday.
    The entrepreneur's holding company Energeticky a Prumyslovy
Holding (EPH), one of Europe's largest energy groups, could also
act as an energy supplier for Thyssenkrupp Steel, the person
said.
    German news outlet Spiegel first reported the news.
    Thyssenkrupp resumed efforts to divest its steel division
earlier this year, after the plan was shelved following failed
efforts to list, sell or find a merger partner.
    Other parties including Emirates Steel Arkan, Brazil's CSN
 CSNA3.SA  and financial investor CVC  CVC.UL  have previously
expressed interest in the unit, according to people familiar
with the matter.
    German economy minister Robert Habeck said earlier this
month that he would do whatever it takes to preserve the
country's steel industry by decarbonising production processes,
after weeks of doubts surrounding the sector led to steel worker
protests.
    Thyssenkrupp and EPH declined to comment.

 (Reporting by Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff and Jan
Lopatka; Writing by Anna Mackenzie, Editing by Friederike Heine)
 ((anna.mackenzie@thomsonreuters.com;))