Brussels, 12/03/2004 (Agence Europe) - Commissioner Philippe Busquin and Guy Dollé, Eurofer President and CEO of Arcelor, jointly launched the new European Steel Technology Platform on Friday in Brussels. As in various other sectors from rail to aeronautics, the platform is entasked with conducting deep reflection on long term strategy for research, innovation and competitiveness in the sector. Its aims include the reduction of CO2 emissions. In 40 years, the European steel sector has reduced its emissions of CO2 by 60% and its energy consumption by 50%, but the level of CO2 still represents 6% of total carbon gas emissions in the EU.