10/ 01/ 2026

EU quotas for metal-coated sheet products are rapidly declining

As of January 7, the volume of use of protective tariff rates and EU quotas for metal-coated sheets is increasing unevenly, with category 4. A is approaching exhaustion for Turkey and Vietnam, while category 4. B is already crowded for China, Kallanish notes. Category 4. A covers the import of metal-coated sheets not declared for end-use in the automotive industry, while category 4. B is intended for the import of automotive materials subject to the EU end-use procedure. Category 4. A for Turkey is nearing completion, and only 7% of the quota is still available, as 108,828 tons are already awaiting distribution, with a volume limit of 116,832 tons. Vietnam is overcrowded: 130,809 tons are awaiting distribution, exceeding the quota by 13,977 tons . South Korea has 23,722 tons remaining, or 64% of reserves, while Taiwan has 32,196 tons remaining, equivalent to 28% that are still open. In contrast, India and the UK remain largely open, with 99% and 84% of their respective quotas still available. Category 4. B for imports of automotive products is completely closed to China, where 194,321 tons are awaiting distribution with a total supply of 126,938 tons, resulting in a 53% overloaded category. 98,029 tons, or 60%, are still available in South Korea. India and the UK remain almost completely open, with 100% and 99% availability, respectively. EU regulatory standard (in tons) for metal-coated sheets (category 4. A, 4. B) Product Quantity Source periodicity Volume The Balance Is Expected Distribution Available Control request Available The rate of return % 4. A South Korea 37,148 37,148 13,426 23,722 64 India 53,100 53,100 753 52,347 99 United Kingdom 35,001 35,001 5,633 29,369 84 Other countries: 467,329 – – – – – Turkey 116,832 116,832 108,828 8,004 7 – Vietnam 116,832 116,832 130,809 -13,977 -12 – Taiwan 116,832 116,832 84,636 32,196 28 4. B China 126,938 126,938 194,321 -67,383 -53 South Korea 164,743 164,743 66,714 98,029 60 India 75,817 75,817 370 75,446 100 United Kingdom 35,001 35,001 330 34,672 99 Other countries: 103,732 – – – – Source: EU TARIFFS, as of January 7. Observed by Callanish Author: Elina Virchenko Kallanish.com ...

09/ 01/ 2026

Damstahl expects a sharp rise in stainless steel prices in 2026 amid the CBAM changes

Prices for long-range stainless steel products from European manufacturers may rise in 2026, taking into account import restrictions and additional fees caused by the carbon boundary regulation mechanism (CBAM), according to German distributor Damstahl. The new trade regime, which is expected to enter into force on July 1, provides for an increase in duties on imports of Asian origin above the quota from 25% to 50%. "This announcement has already forced European importers to pay more attention to domestic manufacturers, who by the end of 2025 reported an increase in the volume of orders and an increase in deadlines," Damstahl writes in its latest market report. Under the pressure of imported raw materials of Asian origin, prices for European special quality bars (SBQ) have remained low for a long time, practically unchanged during 2025, the Damstahl authors write. They expect European factories to raise prices in the second quarter at the latest, and note that some increases have already occurred. The company expects a 15-20% price increase for imported materials. An additional factor that may lead to a shortage of some types of bars this year is that European factories need to increase production to meet the reoriented demand. This will require a longer period, which Damstal predicts will take 6-8 months after several years of declining usage. "It is assumed that European plants will increase production in this range, as they have significantly reduced their capacity over the past two years," the Kallanish authors explain . Author: Christian Kel Kallanish.com ...

09/ 01/ 2026

Primetals upgrades pickling and tandem mills at voestalpine plant

Primetals Technologies is implementing software updates to process control systems at voestalpine Stahl's BETA 2 etching line and Tandem Cold Pressing Mill (PLTCM) in Linz, Austria. The upgrade will enhance IT security, increase system availability, and ensure PLTCM meets the latest automation standards, with commissioning scheduled for mid-2026, according to technology provider Kallanish. The BETA 2 line produces high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels for the automotive industry, the manufacture of household appliances and construction, as well as electrical steel. According to representatives of Primetals, the upgrade will increase operational reliability and ensure long-term compatibility with the latest hardware and software. To maximize system availability and simplify software maintenance, all automation engineering systems will be integrated into the voestalpine virtualization environment. This approach will simplify operations and maintenance for personnel working on multiple lines, explains the equipment supplier. Primetals previously carried out a large-scale upgrade of the BETA 3 cold rolling mill, and in 2013 a project was launched that includes new etching chambers and a complete upgrade of electrical equipment and automation to BETA 2. Author: Christian Kel Kallanish.com ...

09/ 01/ 2026

A new period of steel quotas in the EU is beginning, and some types of products have already been filled.

On January 1, a new quota period began in the EU. Despite the fact that the volumes waiting at the ports have not yet been cleared, given the large volumes of imports waiting at the ports, quotas have already been exhausted for some goods. In the table below, you can see the products for which quotas have already been exhausted, as well as those for which more than 70 percent of the quotas have been spent. Author: SteelOrbis Editorial Team Steelorbis.com ...

08/ 01/ 2026

Lemvigh-Müller is expanding its presence in Denmark by acquiring Brdr, a wholesale steel supplier. Kier

Lemvigh — Müller, a leading Danish steel and industrial products wholesaler, has announced the acquisition of the operations department and employees of regional wholesaler Brdr. Kier, further strengthening its position in Central and Eastern Jutland. Founded more than a century ago, Brdr. Kier has established a strong reputation as a local supplier of steel, plumbing, and ventilation solutions to contractors, installers, and industrial customers throughout the region. Lemvigh — Müller strives to build on this local heritage by enhancing product expertise, advising clients, and offering services. "With this acquisition, we will strengthen our close cooperation with our customers and partners and continue to provide expert advice in both the industrial and installation segments," said Christian Segaard — Christensen, CEO of Lemvigh — Müller. "We complement each other well, especially in terms of technical capabilities and customer relationships, and I am confident that our combined strengths will enhance our competitiveness." With this acquisition, Lemvigh — Müller is also expanding its geographical presence by acquiring outlets in North Aarhus and Skanderborg, as well as a steel warehouse in Hasselager. Brdr clients. Kier will now have access to Lemvigh — Müller's extensive catalog of over 550,000 products, as well as an extensive distribution network throughout Denmark. The deal is currently subject to approval by the antimonopoly authorities and is expected to be completed in the coming months. Source: lemu.dk ...

08/ 01/ 2026

SMS completes acquisition of Metso ferrous metals company

SMS informs that the company has completed the acquisition of Metso's ferrous metals division, which includes pelletizing on a movable grate and direct grinding processes based on the "circular cycle" principle. The deal was announced last summer, and the deal was expected to close for an undisclosed amount in the first quarter of 2026. SMS takes over management of Metso's individual business units and technologies located in Germany, India, China and Australia. The German-based group of companies will strengthen its solutions in the field of "green iron". This approach combines the fluidized bed firing from Circored and the well-known technology of SMS group open-tub furnaces, forming a two-stage firing process, explains the buyer. SMS company says that by introducing agglomeration technologies for granulation on a movable grate, sintering and firing in CFB (circulating fluidized bed), it is expanding its direct crushing process. The agglomeration of iron ore is necessary for the production of raw materials needed for direct reduction processes in mine furnaces, as well as for conventional pig iron production, SMS explains. It notes that customers will have a single partner –a supplier of integrated solutions - from processing raw materials to systems for the production of finished products. Author: Christian Kel Kallanish.com ...

08/ 01/ 2026

Tougher steel safety measures in the EU reduce competitiveness: refining groups

European Steel Using Industries, a group of lobbying organizations representing manufacturers of goods ranging from automobiles and household appliances to agricultural machinery, warned that the European Commission's proposal to expand and tighten security measures against steel imports could undermine the competitiveness of Europe's processing industries, Kallanish said in a joint press statement. While supporting the goal of addressing global overcapacity and ensuring a level playing field for European steel producers, the associations argue that the proposed parameters would overly restrict the EU market and fail to ensure a fair balance between steel producers and consumers. They warn that this proposal will almost halve the total volume of import quotas while doubling the non-quota tariff to 50%, potentially leading to additional tariff costs of 5-9 billion euros per year for processing industries, provided that import volumes remain at the level of 2024. The Commission estimates an average 3.25% increase in steel prices in the EU according to this proposal, but the associations say this is a conservative assumption, noting that price increases of up to 30% may occur in some product categories. Such price increases will hit not only importers, but also companies dependent on European-made steel, weakening both European and international competitiveness. There are concerns about the planned introduction of the "melt and pour" rule, which, according to the associations, will significantly increase the administrative burden, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. They warn that tracing the origin of low-value goods will be impracticable, and argue that any such requirement should be implemented more carefully and in stages over a realistic time frame. The associations add that stricter safety measures will make it more difficult to supply specialized, high-quality steel needed for complex industrial applications, many of which are produced by only a limited number of suppliers worldwide and in insufficient quantities in Europe. They stress that these impacts will exacerbate the impact of other policy measures, including the carbon cap adjustment mechanism and the phase-out of free ETS emissions quotas, further increasing steel costs throughout the value chain. This proposal will affect the EU's close trading partners, which do not contribute to global overcapacity, but instead supply high-quality, environmentally friendly and ...

08/ 01/ 2026

The perfect storm for EU steel: Five events worth paying attention to in 2026

The year 2025 was a turbulent one for the European steel sector, marked by uncertainty and a changing regulatory framework. As 2026 approaches, the situation is becoming more difficult than ever, as the introduction of the Carbon Emissions Regulation Mechanism (CBAM), the introduction of a new steel trade regime, and decarbonization measures are expected to pose serious challenges to the European steel market. Implementation of CBAM to gradually change trade flows CBAM has been preparing for full–scale implementation since January 1, and its implementation is expected to significantly change the trading structure in the European steel market - changes were noticeable as early as 2025. The European Commission has now finalized the baseline and standard emission values that will determine how much importers will have to pay for carbon emissions once the CBAM becomes fully operational in January 2026. These values, especially the default emission values assigned to each exporting country, vary greatly and create significant cost differences between countries of origin. Consequently, trade flows are expected to change for a number of reasons. The default values are extremely high for some major suppliers of flat rolled products and semi-finished products, namely for China, India and Indonesia, much higher than in the previously published draft from November 2025. For example, the cost of slabs in China has been increased by default to 3.167 thousand tons/ton compared to 1.75 thousand tons/ton in November calculations, which is approximately 144 euros per ton according to CBAM tariffs, which makes imports much less competitive. Indian and Indonesian hot-rolled coils can cost CBAM 200-600 euros ($234-703) per ton, which negates the advantage of low base prices. Among other suppliers, very few, including Brazil, showed more moderate growth, which made their supplies "manageable" in accordance with CBAM requirements and, therefore, more or less attractive to EU buyers. Annual surcharges, in particular 10% in 2026, 20% in 2027 and 30% from 2028, over time make countries with high default values even less viable unless they can provide confirmed actual emissions, which many of them cannot yet do.  Since CBAM costs vary greatly by origin, buyers will change supplier sourcing strategies to avoid default penalties and favor countries with lower default values and/or confirmed emissions, or greener production routes, such as scrap ...

07/ 01/ 2026

The EU steel market starts 2026 on a cautious note

In the first days of the new year, the European steel market is showing a calm picture, characterized by low trading activity and limited price fluctuations, as the festive slowdown continues to put pressure on market dynamics. While underlying demand remains weak, market participants are increasingly focusing on forward-looking expectations, regulatory cost risks, and supply-side changes. Although there are selective price increases in several segments, these changes are largely driven by cost pressures and risk perceptions, rather than a real recovery in end-user demand. Recent changes in production and investment indicate that the restructuring of the European steel sector is being carried out in a strategic rather than uniform manner. ArcelorMittal's decision to permanently close one of its agglomeration plants in Gijon, Spain, as well as transfer the plant in Hunedoara, Romania, to UMB Group, indicates a continued shift away from high-cost and carbon-intensive assets. In contrast, Liberty Steel has resumed production at its Dalzell sheet rolling plant in Scotland under a government-backed contract, which has partially restored production capacity. In Italy, uncertainty remains about the future of Acciaierie d'Italia's assets, which have long been affected by financial and operational problems. In early January, prices for flat rolled products across Europe remained generally stable, while manufacturers cautiously tested higher price levels. In Germany, the prices for hot-rolled roll (HRC) from the factory are approximately 620-630 euros per ton, for cold-rolled roll (CRC) - 720-725 euros per ton, and for hot-dip galvanized roll (HDG) - 735-740 euros per ton. In Italy, HRC is sold at a price of 615-625 euros per ton, CRC at 720-725 euros per ton, and HDG at 725-735 euros per ton, while in Spain HRC is offered at a price of 630-650 euros per ton from the factory. Despite this slight increase compared to the previous month, price dynamics are still driven primarily by expectations related to energy costs, carbon dioxide emissions, and changes in the trade regime, rather than a recovery in physical demand. Buyers view the current price increase not as the beginning of a sustained recovery, but as an early reflection of anticipated financial risks. Trading volumes remain low and the market continues to experience price increases. Market sources report that one of the leading European producers has distributed offers at a price of about 660 euros per ton. A significant part of the market participants expects a ...

07/ 01/ 2026

Global clean Steel markets in 2026: regulation, costs, and regional differences

After several years of announcements, pilot projects, and branding, Green Steel is still a niche market, even in Europe, where the decarbonization movement has begun. But 2026 looks like it will be the first year when the ambitions of "green steel" will face a changed political environment and an inexorable market reality. The introduction of the Carbon Dioxide Emissions Regulation Mechanism (CBAM) in January 2026 in the EU is expected to be a watershed moment that will lead to clearer definitions, change the cost structure and begin to separate the first winners from the laggards. While Europe is under pressure from regulation, Asia is guided by economic and technological pragmatism, and the Middle East positions itself as a strategic supplier of steel and raw materials with ultra-low emissions. The United States, meanwhile, is entering a period of uncertainty as the new administration signals a shift away from federal green industry goals, creating a more fragmented landscape in which government-level incentives and corporate demand, rather than national policies, will determine the trajectory of low-carbon steel production. Together, these regions will define a competitive environment for the production of environmentally friendly steel over the next few years. Fastmarkets has prepared a forward-looking overview of what the global clean steel market can expect in 2026, as well as key challenges and opportunities associated with the transition of some regions from using clean steel to measurable decarbonization. Europe: Definitions, regulations and rising costs It will become increasingly difficult for Europe to maintain uncertainty about "green" steel. Implementation of CBAM (in the ratio of 3:5) will force manufacturers and importers to quantify emissions with unprecedented accuracy. As CBAM payments become financially significant, the market can no longer be guided by uncertain "green branding" or mass balance. Instead, Europe will be forced to move towards a more consistent emission intensity threshold covering areas 1, 2 and, increasingly, 3. This will bring Europe closer to emerging systems abroad, including the Indian star rating system of 2024 and regulations applicable in various regions regarding "clean" materials. In this context, the need for harmonized certification and labeling of "green steel", which is designed to ensure transparency and trust in the market, is becoming crucial. Without reliable labeling and tracking of supplies, Europe risks undermining confidence in the ...

07/ 01/ 2026

Austria supports machine learning research in steel mills

Johannes Keppler University in Linz, together with voestalpine Stahl, is launching a series of studies on machine learning and signal processing in the steel industry, Kallanish notes. The project at the Christian Doppler University Signal Processing and Machine Learning Laboratory at the Institute of the Steel Industry (CD) will last until 2032. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism allocated 2.7 million euros ($3.2 million) to him. Over the next few years, the laboratory will work on developing theoretical principles and algorithms to improve signal processing for monitoring steel production processes. "Production processes, such as at voestalpine Stahl GmbH, are controlled by sensors, the signals of which are processed by specialized algorithms," says project manager Oliver Lang. He explains that there are different kinds of signals. "One of the most common types of signals is the so-called approximate periodic signals," he cites one example. "Very little research has been done on these signals in the past, and we only had a few algorithms capable of processing them." Kallanish understands that the reason this happens quite often in strip factories is because of the large number of continuous processes. "Rotations and oscillations create these almost periodic signals, but they also cause a lot of critical interference," Lang concludes. Author: Christian Kel Germany Kallanish.com ...

07/ 01/ 2026

10 end-user associations oppose new EU steel quotas

European steel end-user associations have expressed concern about the negative impact of the proposed tougher alternative to protective measures on EU processing industries, according to a joint statement released on January 6. The statement was signed by 10 associations, including the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the European Association of Household Appliances (APPLIA), the European Metal Packaging Association and the European Construction Equipment Committee (CECIMO). On October 7 last year, the European Commission published its official proposals to replace the EU steel protection system, which detail significant reductions varying in volume across product categories, including the classification of steel products by CN code and the corresponding allocation of total quotas of 18,345,922 tons – a total reduction of 47%. And tariff quotas were proposed at 50% compared to protective duties, which currently amount to 25%. The new measures are expected to enter into force in July 2026, after the expiration of the current guarantee system. Although the associations recognize that some protectionism is necessary to overcome the effects of global overcapacity and ensure a level playing field, they strongly oppose the proposed parameters of measures and believe that the European Commission may "go too far in fencing off the European market." A significant reduction in quotas, combined with a doubling of tariff duty rates to 50%, means that more imports will go beyond the allocated quotas, and end users will have to "cover additional tariff costs of 5 to 9 billion euros per year," according to the association, assuming import volumes similar to those that we were in 2024. The groups estimate that the resulting increase in steel prices could be well above the European Commission's average forecast of 3.25%. They warned that price increases for certain categories of goods could amount to up to 30%, which would hit both importers and companies that rely on exports of finished goods from the EU. And the introduction of the "melt and pour" rule will further increase the administrative burden on small companies. "Obtaining information about the origin of low-value goods will be almost impossible. Such an onerous rule should be applied much more carefully and practically and in stages within a realistic timeframe," the statement said. According to the proposed system, the import of specialized high-quality steel required for complex industrial applications will be ...