Over 350 companies back EUROMETAL call to protect Europe’s steel industry
A broad coalition of European steel producers, distributors, processors and downstream manufacturers is urging the European Commission and EU member states to take immediate action to protect the continent’s steel and metals value chain from what it describes as an accelerating process of deindustrialisation.
The call-to-action, coordinated by EUROMETAL and supported by more than 350 companies and 40 national associations, has been formally submitted to EU governments and the European Commission. It outlines a comprehensive package of trade, energy and industrial policy measures aimed at stabilising the sector under increasingly challenging global conditions. EUROMETAL said in a statement that the initiative reflects an “unprecedented level of alignment” across the industry.
Presenting the initiative at Wire & Tube 2026 in Düsseldorf, EUROMETAL President Alexander Julius underlined the urgency of the situation, describing it as a joint effort “supported by the entire steel value chain” and warning of “the looming loss of industrial core competencies in Europe.”
Immediate trade measures at the center of industry demands
At the core of the proposal is a demand for stronger and immediately applicable trade defence instruments. The signatories are calling for a new regime to replace the current EU steel safeguard measures, including tariffs and tariff-rate quotas covering not only steel but also derivatives and steel-intensive products (CN codes 73–95).
The objective is to ensure fair competition and prevent circumvention, particularly in light of increasingly sophisticated trade diversion practices. The proposal also stresses the need to align EU measures with those already in place in major markets such as the United States and Canada.
Julius pointed to “massive cost pressures” and a lack of effective protection mechanisms as key challenges facing European companies.
CBAM extension seen as key to protecting downstream industry
A second key element is the extension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to downstream and steel-intensive products. The signatories argue that limiting CBAM to primary steel risks shifting carbon leakage further along the value chain, undermining both industrial activity and climate objectives in Europe.
By expanding CBAM coverage, the alliance aims to prevent the relocation of value creation to third countries and to ensure that decarbonisation efforts remain economically viable within the EU.
“Made in EU” push aims to strengthen strategic autonomy
The initiative also calls for the introduction of stronger “Made in EU” requirements, particularly in public procurement and funding schemes. This includes infrastructure projects, defence procurement, tax incentives and support for e-mobility.
According to the signatories, prioritising European-produced materials is essential to preserve industrial capabilities, secure supply chains and maintain strategic autonomy in critical sectors.
Energy costs and regulatory burden weigh on competitiveness
High energy costs remain a central concern. The signatories point in particular to persistently high energy and regulatory costs in Europe, combined with global trade distortions and protectionist measures by third countries.
The call-to-action proposes reducing industrial electricity prices to a maximum of 5 ct/kWh, alongside a review of the EU Emissions Trading System and a slower phase-out of free allowances under CBAM. In addition, the alliance is calling for a reduction in regulatory burdens at both EU and national level to improve the overall competitiveness of European industry.
Julius stressed that many companies, particularly SMEs, are already under significant strain.
Millions of jobs linked to steel value chain at risk
The document highlights the broader economic implications, estimating that more than 13 million direct jobs in the steel and metals sector are at risk, with up to 65 million jobs indirectly linked to the industry.
At the press conference, Julius reinforced the scale of the issue, stating that “more than one million direct jobs” are already under acute pressure and pointing to the wider employment footprint of the metals sector across Europe.
The signatories argue that such losses would not only weaken Europe’s industrial base but also increase dependence on third countries and place additional pressure on social systems.
Policy response now decisive for Europe’s industrial future
While reaffirming support for the EU’s climate targets, the alliance emphasizes that decarbonisation must be accompanied by globally competitive framework conditions. Without this balance, the transition to low-carbon steel production could accelerate the relocation of industry rather than strengthen it within Europe.
At the press conference, Julius reiterated that the initiative reflects concerns across the entire value chain, describing it as “an European Initiative supported by the entire steel value chain.” He again pointed to “massive cost pressures” and rising strain on companies, particularly SMEs.
The call-to-action now puts the issue squarely on the political agenda in Brussels and the member states. Whether and how policymakers respond — particularly on trade defence, energy pricing and CBAM design — is likely to shape not only the future of European steelmaking, but also the broader industrial base that depends on it.
Following the press conference, moderator Gesa Gröning conducted an exclusive video interview with EUROMETAL President Alexander Julius for marketSTEEL.
The full initiative, including the option to sign the call-to-action, is available at: steelindustrynow.eu
Author: MarketSteel Editorial Team
Viohalco’s steel segment profitability doubled in 2025
The US canceled its AD investigation on cold-rolled steel imports from the UK
European domestic steel heavy plate prices mostly stable but cost pressures persist
Domestic prices in the European steel heavy plate market were mostly stable in the week to Thursday April 16, while imports into Germany saw a slight increase, sources told Fastmarkets.
Steel plate prices had previously been increasing after energy and slab costs increased following the US/Israel attacks on Iran on February 28 and its wide-ranging response across the region, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Southern Europe
Deals for Italian plate were heard in the week to Thursday at €750-780 ($876-911) per tonne ex-works, unchanged from orders a week earlier, with the lower end of the range applicable to larger volumes, while the higher end was linked to smaller lots, sources said.
One trader said that offers in Italy had reached €800-830 per tonne ex-works during the week, up from €800 per tonne ex-works, due to rising production costs, but no deals were reported.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel domestic plate, 8-40mm, exw Southern Europe, was €750-780 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged from April 9.
On April 9, market participants reported only moderate demand for plate in Italy, while expecting higher cost pressures on re-rollers because of rising slab feedstock costs and tight slab supplies.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel slab, import, cif Italy, was $600-620 per tonne on Thursday, up from $590-620 per tonne a week earlier.
The steel plate import market was moving slowly, meanwhile, with one producer putting the workable level from Asia to Spain at €700-750 per tonne CFR, unchanged week on week.
Larger import deals in Italy were heard at €790-800 per tonne DDP from India, Japan and South Korea, sources said, but these were not included in Fastmarkets assessment, which only covers CFR prices.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel plate (8-40mm), import, cfr main port Southern Europe, was €664-700 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged from April 9.
Northern Europe
In Germany’s domestic market, steel plate was on offer at €800-830 per tonne ex-works in the week to Thursday, unchanged from previous levels, but no fresh trade were reported in a quiet market.
One trader reported an offer at €830-840 per tonne DAP Ruhr for S235 grade plate, but this was not included in the assessment, which is for ex-works material.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel domestic plate 8-40mm, exw Northern Europe, was €800-830 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged from April 9.
Plate imports into Germany were reported at €700-750 per tonne CFR for Asia-origin cargoes, while plate from Indonesia on offer at €725 per tonne CFR Antwerp.
DDP offers to Antwerp were heard at €790-800 per tonne from India, Japan and South Korea, but were not included in Fastmarkets’ CFR basis assessment.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel plate (8-40mm), import, cfr main port Northern Europe, was €700-725 per tonne on Thursday, up from €650-700 per tonne a week earlier.
European green steel market muted as demand lags; Stegra, Marcegaglia projects advance
Europe’s green steel market remained quiet in the week to Friday April 17, with spot activity near zero. But a couple of major green steel projects have moved forward, Fastmarkets heard.
Recent developments from Marcegaglia and Stegra point to continued investment in electric-arc furnace (EAF) technology and hydrogen-based steelmaking, while the industry works toward lowering emissions and improving supply sustainability in a difficult market environment.
Green steel projects progress
Marcegaglia
Italian re-roller Marcegaglia advanced its electric-furnace project implementation. On April 14, it awarded equipment supplier Danieli a €450 million contract for construction and spares for a new EAF and flat rolling facility in Fos-sur-Mer, France.
The project, named Mistral, has total capex in the range of €1 billion. It will include an EAF, a single strand continuous slab caster producing thick slabs, and a conventional hot strip mill.
Once completed, the new EAF will have capacity for more than 2 million tonnes per year of liquid steel and as much as 3 million tpy of stainless and carbon steel hot-rolled coil. This will cover approximately 35% of the Marcegaglia group’s total coil and slab demand, primarily supplying downstream facilities in Italy, the company said.
The company also highlighted the “green” nature of the project. The use of scrap, low carbon hot-briquetted iron (HBI) and nuclear and renewable energy will enable as much as 80% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with traditional methods.
The final investment decision on the project was expected no later than the end of 2026, following completion of the permitting process and other conditions currently in advanced negotiation with the relevant French institutions.
Marcegaglia is one of the major HRC buyers in Italy, with estimated import volumes of 4-5 million tpy.
It operates as a re-roller and can produce about 2.4 million tpy of cold-rolled coil and about 1.9 million tpy of coated coil at its Ravenna site in Italy. The company also has a plate-producing facility in San Giorgio di Nogaro, as well as tube-welding facilities in north-eastern Italy.
Stegra
On April 14, Sweden-based green steelmaker Stegra agreed in principle on €1.4 billion in new financing from a combination of new and existing investors to complete the construction of its large-scale green steel plant in Boden, Sweden.
As for overall financing, Stegra earlier announced funding of about €6.5 billion. This includes €250 million from the EU innovation fund and a public grant in Sweden. A public grant in Sweden was approved for €265 million. And €143 million has been fulfilled through the Industrial Leap program
Industry sources told Fastmarkets that Stegra has completed around 60-70% of the construction work, with production expected to commence around the first half of 2027. Stegra, however, did not confirm that when contacted by Fastmarkets. “We have not gone out with new numbers on project completion [construction works is only a part of that, which also includes engineering and procurement] and we have also clarified that the timeline is under review,” a spokesperson told Fastmarkets on April 17.
Capacity for direct-reduction iron (DRI) was expected to amount to 2.1 million tonnes, with 2.5 million tpy of HRC capacity planned. By 2030, the plant was expected to produce about 5 million tpy of green steel and use an electrolysis capacity of 700MW.
The company also planned to sell green DRI/HBI in the European market, with some volumes already sold, Fastmarkets heard.
“We are selling the surplus HBI to other steelmakers until we have phase 2 completed and then we will consume it ourselves,” the spokesperson said.
Buyers reluctant to pay premiums for green steel
Meanwhile, spot market demand for reduced-emissions steel was still constrained, with buyers unwilling to absorb high premiums.
Market sources cited both pricing pressures and the lack of clear, harmonized definitions and standards in Europe as barriers to wider adoption.
Under Fastmarkets’ methodology, European green flat steel refers to material produced with combined Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions not exceeding 0.8 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel.
According to buyers, workable premiums for reduced-emissions steel were generally in the range of €100-150 per tonne, with some deals reported concluded at minimal or zero premiums for strategic or branding considerations. Producers, however, argued that viable premiums should be closer to €150-170 per tonne.
A mill source reported small-tonnage deals for 100-500 tonnes done with premiums at €150-160 per tonne, but admitted that interest in green products overall remained weak.
As a result, Fastmarkets’ weekly assessment of the green steel domestic, flat-rolled, differential to HRC index, exw Northern Europe, was little changed week on week at a premium of €100-160 per tonne on April 16, widening upward from €100-150 per tonne seven days earlier.
The corresponding weekly green steel, differential to steel reinforcing bar (rebar), domestic, delivered Northern Europe, narrowed €0-25 per tonne on April 15, from €0-30 per tonne per tonne on April 8.
Fastmarkets’ methodology defines European green long steel as steel produced with Scope 1, 2 or 3 emissions at a maximum of 0.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions per tonne of steel.
One German producer noted that there has recently been some increase in local interest in green material, but normally demand comes from Nordic countries and the UK. Nevertheless, customers were not ready to pay any premiums.
Another supplier said that the company was charging €25-50 per tonne premium for its material with reduced carbon content, but noted that demand has dropped this year compared with 2023 and 2024.
A supplier from Southern Europe also said that green material procurement is definitely not a priority in Europe at the moment, due to the caution in the market driven by the geopolitical uncertainty in the global arena.
European flat steel market remains subdued, awaiting clarity on new import regime
The European domestic market for steel hot-rolled coil became subdued in mid-April, despite expectations of a rebound at the time of the Tube and Wire trade fair in Dusseldorf, Germany, over April 13-17.
Trading remained muted because neither sellers nor buyers needed to move significant volumes of material. Customers’ stocks were said to be sufficient high, with both domestic and imported material booked early to secure availability before the EU’s new trade regime comes into force on July 1.
As a result, estimates of workable prices in Northern Europe retreated to €700-710 ($826-837) per tonne ex-works on April 17, from €700-720 per tonne ex-works earlier in the month.
At the same time, European suppliers continue to seek higher prices for July delivery material, with stricter new safeguard measures being the key factor rather than real demand.
Earlier in the week ended April 17, the European Council and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a new trade regime. A new tariff-rate quota (TRQ) system was now set to replace the existing steel safeguard measures, starting from July 1.
Several integrated mills indicated preliminary target offers at €750-770 per tonne ex-works for July-delivery coil, which were considered to be high by customers.
The mills were expected to come back with firm offers for third-quarter delivery coil once the country-specific TRQ volumes were revealed.
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index, domestic, exw Northern Europe, was €708.33 per tonne on April 17, down by €1.15 per tonne day on day.
The index was also down by €11.67 per tonne week on week and down by €1.80 per tonne month on month.
The Italian market was also quiet, with €700-710 per tonne said to be the workable price on April 17, compared with €690-700 per tonne ex-works earlier in April.
Material supply in the country was reduced at the moment due to the suspension of HRC production at the beginning of April because of technical issues affecting a local re-roller. Operations were expected to be resumed in May.
In Northern Europe, an integrated producer from the Benelux area was also experiencing technical issues, resulting in a lack of material.
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index, domestic, exw Italy, was calculated at €700.00 per tonne ex-works on April 17, up by €1.25 per tonne from €698.75 per tonne on April 16.
The index was stable week-on week but up by €2.50 per tonne month on month.
On imports, there was information circulating in the market about a 25,000 tonnes cargo of Algerian HRC being booked at $800 per tonne for Southern Europe. A majority of market sources thought this price too high, but one source reported an offer from Algeria at $800 per tonne CFR.
Turkish HRC was said to be available at €640-665 per tonne CFR including anti-dumping duty, but excluding costs relating to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Indian coil was heard offered at $710 per tonne CFR.