In addition to private households and public institutions, large companies play a key role.

A selection of current plans:

Steel:

The raw material-intensive industry is worried about its gas purchases.

The largest German manufacturer Thyssenkrupp is preparing for interruptions or restrictions “in various scenarios”.

In the steel industry, natural gas is required to generate heat, for example for rolling or in the coking plant.

Less gas means less production.

This can be “accompanied up to a certain threshold,” explains a group spokeswoman.

However, a minimum purchase is essential to maintain the processes, otherwise shutdowns and plant damage cannot be ruled out.

Thyssenkrupp sees hardly any potential for savings in gas: "Switching to oil or coal is not possible in our production processes."

The number two, Salzgitter AG from Lower Saxony, also emphasizes: "In steel production, there are several processing and auxiliary processes that depend on natural gas." The aim is to "restrict its use to a minimum".

Partial quantities could be replaced with oil.

In addition, the so-called waste gases, which are produced as by-products, are increasingly being used.

In the medium term, Salzgitter wants to switch the production of pig iron from coking coal to hydrogen – but natural gas mixtures will also be used here for a transitional period.

No statements about delivery stops

Automobile construction:

The German model industry has so far needed large quantities of gas for many processes and to supply its factories with energy. In addition, electricity is sometimes generated in its own plants.

The Volkswagen Group, for example, is currently converting the power plant at its Wolfsburg headquarters from coal to gas.

"We are in a situation where we can use both energy sources," said Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz in the spring shortly after the start of the Ukraine war.

VW is keeping a low profile on the consequences of complete delivery or import stops.

The competitor Mercedes-Benz recently emphasized that an impending gas shortage was causing him considerable concern.

The Stuttgart-based company is preparing to reduce consumption at the German locations by up to half if necessary.

According to CEO Ola Källenius, there is an emergency plan: "We would be able to implement these measures this year." Electricity from gas combustion should be replaced as often as possible with electricity from renewable sources.

In addition, general energy savings are planned, and oil could also be used if necessary.

Källenius is cautious: "We don't know what will happen." Discussions were held with the Federal Network Agency.

As an automotive supplier, Continental is also affected by the energy crisis.

According to the Hanoverians, the proportion of gas in the energy mix is ​​significant.

Individual locations are vulnerable to varying degrees - "from not being affected at all to the use of natural gas purely for heating purposes, to generate process heat to the use of gas directly in the production process".

Conti did not want to give details.

"We are closely monitoring the current situation."

Chemicals and pharmaceuticals:

With a share of 15 percent, the industry is the largest gas consumer in Germany.

Here, natural gas is not only an indispensable source of energy, but also a raw material that is used in many end products.

The association VCI sees only little potential for reduction: By using other fuels, only 2 to 3 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy from gas could be saved in the short term - the companies would need around 135 billion kWh per year.

VCI General Manager Wolfgang Große Entrup said in mid-July: "For our companies, we are currently doing everything we can to leverage the very last gas-saving potential."