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Article: Steel sector - Logistics solutions for the European steel industry
Strong together for Europe's steel: DB Cargo connects industrial partners with sustainable logistics.
Last updated on: 23.03.2026
The steel industry is a central pillar of the European economy - its products flow into almost all industrial value chains. Its logistics are complex, systemically relevant and demanding. DB Cargo supports this key industry with customized, sustainable and efficient transport solutions. As part of our specialized business structure, we are today introducing the Steel business segment - a strong partner to the steel producing and processing industry. As one of four business segments in the Rail Logistics division headed by Pierre Timmermans, it is active along the entire process chain of the steel industry: from the supply of raw materials to inter-plant transport and the delivery of finished products.
Logistics along the industrial value chain
Branche Steel specializes in transport and logistics solutions for the European steel industry and is a long-standing, established rail logistics partner. It is closely integrated into the steel industry's value chain and is involved in the entire process - from the supply of raw materials and inter-plant transport to the delivery of finished products.
With a comprehensive range of transport solutions, DB Cargo supports steel companies in organizing their logistics efficiently and sustainably. The steel sector team has established itself as a central component of the European steel supply chain and makes a significant contribution to DB Cargo's overall volume.
Transport mode - combined strength of system and single freight car transport
Around 80 percent of raw material and inter-plant transports are carried out using efficient block train transport. In addition, single freight car transport plays a central role, especially in the transportation of intermediate steel products to processing plants. In this way, the industry utilizes the cost advantages of large transport volumes in system transport and at the same time ensures flexible connections to remote locations.
The management team of the Steel sector
Markus Micken, Head of the Steel L.CSL function in the DB Cargo business unit
Markus Micken has headed the Steel L.CSL function in the DB Cargo business unit since February 2026. He has many years of experience in the steel industry and brings extensive expertise from various management positions. He was previously Senior Vice President Logistics Services at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. He has also supported several steel logistics service providers in the role of company representative or advisory board member. In his role at DB Cargo, he is responsible for the strategic development of logistics solutions for the steel industry and close cooperation with industry partners along the entire value chain.
Three Sales and Solution Design teams develop and market customised logistics concepts for customers in the steel-producing and steel-processing industries. They support the European steel industry in achieving its "green" goals with rail-based transport concepts.
Management structure of the Steel business segment
Sales and Solution Design Steel 1: The team headed by Christoph Heibach develops individual logistics and distribution concepts for steel groups from Germany and Austria such as Salzgitter, Stahl-Holding-Saar (SHS), thyssenkrupp and voestalpine.
Sales and Solution Design Steel 2: Under the leadership of Christoph Tews, the team develops solutions with international expertise for the steel industry based in continental Europe and Scandinavia, such as ArcelorMittal, SSAB and TATA.
Sales and Solution Design Scrap: Thorsten Noll's team focuses on the electrical steel industry (e.g. Badische Stahlwerke, AST Terni, Riva), which produces 100 percent of its steel from scrap, which is why the team also supports all scrap trading companies (e.g. Scholz, TSR, Alfa).
Sales Support Steel: The team, led by Björn Volz, calculates transport concepts for the steel industry in block train and single freight car transport and provides support with tenders, preparing offers and invoicing. This support is an important success factor for the profitability of transport operations, especially for complex, customer-specific individual solutions.
Equipment Steel: Stephan Strobel's team plans the current and medium-term requirements as well as the optimum freight wagon equipment and availability for the Steel sector. In close coordination with Technical Management and all teams, the team also develops the strategic alignment of the fleet.
Development and Excellence Steel: Headed by Carolina Lasse, the team focuses on the strategic and future-proof development of the steel industry and optimizes transports under the assumptions of quality and cost-effectiveness. The team is also responsible for the efficient, quality- and market-oriented procurement of rail and logistics services from service partners.
Focus on future topics
The steel sector supports the industry in implementing climate-friendly supply chains that are viable for the future. This includes the increased use of rail in freight transport as well as digitally supported processes for planning, control and communication along the transport chain.
DB Cargo - your reliable logistics partner for the steel industry in Europe.
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