Badische Stahlwerke (BSW) saw a loss during 2025 despite high utilisation, Kallanish learns from a statement by the German rebar mill, located in Kehl in the southwest.
The company finds that the steel industry is at a crossroads at which increasing imports are compounding low domestic demand and low margins on a battled market.
The family-owned company does not reveal figures of production volume, revenue, or profits, but states that 2025 was its third year of losses in a row.
“Our target markets, especially residential construction, continues to be a cause for concern in Germany and Europe,” says managing director Florian Glück.
To meet the challenges, Badische has strategically repositioned itself, and merged with Dutch group Van Merksteijn in spring 2025 to become Reinforcing Steel Europe, with locations in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.
Besides Badische Stahlwerke (BSW), this also includes its associated processing and distribution companies Moselstahlwerk (MSW), Baustahlgewebe, Neckardraht and Bewehrungsstahl Vertriebsgesellschaft (BVG).
With Van Merksteijn as the largest independent wire processor in Europe as partner, “we are positioning ourselves more broadly and more stably in the market,’ says Glück. “We now operate as a European entity. The group’s greater sales potential ensures high capacity utilisation for production at BSW.”
The wire rod produced in Kehl is processed entirely within the new group.
“For 2026, we must continue to review routines, optimise processes and reduce costs,” Glück says.
Governmental politics will play a main role in improving the economic environment, he adds. “Above all, we need better framework conditions for steel production in Germany.”
