Germany imported 40.2 million tonnes of hard coal last year, 14.7% less than in 2018 due to competition from renewables and gas, and as the steel industry curbed usage, importers said on Friday.
The total was comprised of an estimated 7.4% lower intake of coking coal for steelmakers, who purchased 11.5-million tonnes and a 15.5% fall in purchases of coke, a related product, of 1.9-million tonnes, lobby group VDKI said at its annual meeting.
Thirdly and most significantly, purchases by coal-to-power generators, the biggest user group, fell 17.4% to 26.8-million.