EUROMETAL participates in EC Expert Group Meeting on CBAM
EUROMETAL took part in the 3rd Meeting of the Informal Expert Group on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), held on 15 May 2025, and was represented by its President, Alexander Julius.
The Expert Group, convened by the European Commission’s DG TAXUD, plays an important advisory role in shaping the development and implementation of CBAM. Its core mission is to support the Commission in preparing both legislative and non-legislative measures and to facilitate an effective exchange of knowledge, best practices, and technical insights among stakeholders and Member States.
The group contributes by assisting in the implementation of existing EU legislation, programmes, and policies; supporting the preparation of delegated and implementing acts; providing input on legislative proposals and policy initiatives; coordinating with national authorities and fostering dialogue across the EU and supplying expertise to the Commission ahead of comitology procedures.
During the session, EUROMETAL President Alexander Julius raised a strong concern regarding the lack of clarity around the average ETS (Emissions Trading System) price for 2026 and how this uncertainty — combined with the yet undefined benchmark factor — could pose a significant and unpredictable cost burden for the European manufacturing and processing industry.
EUROMETAL called for the prompt establishment of a modest and realistic benchmark factor, which would offer greater predictability and reduce the risk of overburdening the steel value chain during the critical early phases of CBAM implementation.
As a representative voice of Europe’s steel distribution, service, and trading sectors, EUROMETAL continues to actively engage in CBAM policy discussions to ensure that the framework is fair, effective, and supportive of both industrial competitiveness and environmental objectives.
EUROMETAL Board Member Tayfun İşeri at SteelRadar Steel Summit in Çeşme
EUROMETAL proudly participated in the Steel Summit 2025, organized by SteelRadar on 15-16 May in Çeşme/İzmir, where our Board Member Tayfun İşeri represented the association in a high-level panel on the future of green steel.
The summit gathered key stakeholders from across the steel value chain, addressing pressing challenges and opportunities in a rapidly transforming industry. Tayfun İşeri took part in Session 3: Green Steel Panel, which focused on the transformation of the European steel industry in light of climate goals, energy dynamics, and new regulatory frameworks.
The session, explored the current state of the European steel market, recent consumption and price trends, and future forecasts. Discussions also addressed the role of European steel scrap exports in the global market, including the implications of export restrictions and raw material price volatility on the circular economy. Panelists examined the competitiveness of the European steel industry in international markets, particularly in light of high energy costs, and considered the steps needed to improve resilience and sustainability.
A key focus of the session was the European Union’s regulatory landscape. The panel analyzed the impact of EU policies on steel trade, tariffs, and quotas, including the European Green Deal and the challenges posed by these transformation processes. The discussion also covered the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the difficulties that developing countries may face during their adaptation processes.
In his remarks, Tayfun İşeri shared EUROMETAL’s perspective on how the European distribution and service center sector is responding to decarbonisation pressures, increasingly complex regulatory requirements, and changes in global supply chains. He emphasized EUROMETAL’s goal of highlighting the importance of protecting the EU market against unrestricted imports of steel derivatives, which risk undermining the efforts of European producers and distributors to comply with stringent climate and trade regulations. In this context, he referred to the upcoming launch of a Call to Action regarding steel derivatives. With growing concern over their potential inclusion in tariff measures, he stressed the need for a strong and coordinated signal from the sector to ensure fair competition and preserve the integrity of the steel value chain.
The session was moderated by Muammer Bilgiç, Executive Board Member of Bilecik Demir Çelik (Türkiye), and opened by Stanislav Zinchenko, CEO of GMK Center (Ukraine). Panelists included Fatih Gökçe (Diler Holding, Türkiye), Josu Pina Bilbao (SSAB, Spain), Tsanislav Kolev (NLMK Europe, Belgium), Tuğba Çimenci (Flatsteel Hub, Italy), and Tayfun İşeri, representing EUROMETAL.
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe expects sales to decline amid global uncertainties
Thyssenkrupp Steel anticipates continued challenges due to geopolitical tensions and uncertainties in global trade policies but remains committed to its green transformation and sustainability goals, Germany’s second-largest flat steel producer said in a quarterly results statement May 15.
ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe is moving forward with its low-carbon production transformation, while maintaining cautious forecasts and anticipating sales declines of 3% to 6% for the fiscal year 2024-25 (October-September).
Steel Europe’s sales decreased by 8% year over year to Eur2.64 billion in the January-March quarter, while sales for the first half of the fiscal year fell 6% to Eur10.7 billion.
The steel unit faced weak demand and underutilization, particularly due to declining orders from the automotive industry. Price-induced effects contributed to lower sales revenues and capacity utilization.
In January-March, Thyssenkrupp produced 2.08 million mt of crude steel, down from 2.48 million mt in the previous quarter and from 2.697 million mt a year earlier.
“For Thyssenkrupp, fiscal year 2024/2025 is developing in line with our forecast. Strategically, it is a year for making decisions; financially, it is a year of transition,” said Miguel Lopez, CEO of Thyssenkrupp AG.
“Steel Europe is working resolutely on the planned restructuring of the business. We are consistently implementing the measures of our APEX performance program in all segments. By contrast, the persistently difficult market environment is reflected in our operational figures for the second quarter. In the second half of the year, we are expecting a more stable market environment and positive effects from the measures we have initiated. We therefore confirm our full-year forecast,” he added.
Steel Europe is moving forward with its realignment based on the existing industrial concept for the future. At the start of May, IG Metall, the metalworkers’ union, and Thyssenkrupp Steel reached an agreement in principle on the necessary restructuring. Further negotiations are expected to lead to a collective bargaining agreement by the summer.
A further key element of Thyssenkrupp Steel’s future positioning strategy is breaking the economic link with Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann as it will reduce the capacity to 8 million-9 million mt a year, from the current 11.5 million mt a year. At the start of April 2025, Thyssenkrupp Steel initiated the implementation of this step by terminating the supply contract with HKM. As a result, Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe’s obligation to purchase around 2.5 million mt/year of steel will expire by the end of 2032 at the latest.
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed domestic HRC in Northern Europe at Eur640/mt ex-works Ruhr, stable day over day.
ArcelorMittal committed to restarting French decarbonization plan following EU measures
ArcelorMittal said May 15 that it remains committed to decarbonizing its French operations and is working closely with the government as it looks to resume its plans later in the year.
Europe’s largest steelmaker said the European Commission’s Steel and Metal Action Plan, announced in March 2025, “provides optimism that the European Commission will implement efficient trade defense and carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) soon after that.”
With the European steel sector experiencing its deepest crisis since the financial crisis of 2009, the company had recently decided to postpone the implementation of its decarbonization projects in Europe.
“The revised steel safeguard measures that entered into effect on April 1, are a first step in the right direction. The European steel industry now requires effective limitation of imports at 15% of market demand as well as an effective CBAM that notably prevents resource shuffling. That would restore a level playing field on the European steel market,” ArcelorMittal said.
The company said it is confident of being able to restart its decarbonization plan after the summer and, in particular, to invest in the first electric arc furnace (EAF) at Dunkirk, an investment estimated at around Eur1.2 billion ($1.07 billion).
This investment is part of a Eur2 billion larger investment in France: Eur254 million already for Dunkirk and Eur53 million for its site at Fos, plus the Eur500 million investment in a new electric steel production unit under construction in Mardyck, which is set to be completed by the end of this year.
In February 2022, ArcelorMittal said that it would be transitioning its Dunkirk plant away from the BF-BOF production route. The company announced plans to build an EAF and a 2.5 million mt/year DRI plant in Dunkirk with the aim of starting up the new equipment by 2027 and phasing out the old by 2030, but then in 2024 backtracked on these projects.
At the moment ArcelorMittal’s Dunkirk site is carrying out works at the iron ore sintering line, blast furnace 4 and one of the steel mill’s converters.
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed Northwest European carbon-accounted hot-rolled coil at Eur695/mt ex-works Ruhr on May 14, stable day over day.
UK Steel, 7Steel call for reduced electricity prices
Industry association UK Steel and producer 7Steel – the former Celsa Steel UK – along with other industrial companies, are calling for a cut in energy prices. If not delivered, this puts the UK at risk of missing the clean industry boom, Kallanish notes from a joint letter.
A coalition of manufacturers, investors, and climate groups have called on Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, to slash electricity prices to unlock growth, drive electrification, and secure Britain’s place in the global clean economy. It hopes to do this by moving policy costs off electricity prices and into general taxation, which would cut business energy costs by up to 15% and household bills by up to £3a70/year ($492).
The coalition says high electricity prices continue to undermine UK competitiveness, with businesses paying significantly more for electricity than their European counterparts, some of whom have already removed policy costs from electricity bills. This is a topic that UK Steel has consistenty campaigned on.
It suggests that by moving policy costs into general taxation, the government can recover costs more progressively, with these charges disproportionately impacting electricity users, including low-income households and businesses that are struggling to compete internationally. This change would also strongly align with the government’s growth mission by improving UK industry’s global competitiveness and freeing up capital for investment in energy efficiency and low-carbon technologies.
The coalition is also calling for companies to be provided targeted support for industrial electrification.
“This is a critical moment. Without urgent action, the UK risks weakening its economic resilience and missing out on thousands of good jobs and billions in clean industry investment,” it adds.
The global clean manufacturing market is projected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2030.
Carrie Bone UK
Feralpi Germany starts up new rolling mill
Feralpi Stahl celebrated on Thursday the launch of its new rolling mill. At €220 million ($247m), it represents the biggest investment so far at the rebar mill in Riesa, Saxony, formerly known as Elbe-Stahlwerke, and today part of Feralpi Group.
The technology, supplied by Danieli, enables a new production method for rebar in coil. A spooler plant has been built where the wire rod is processed directly from the rolling vein into a spooled ring. Previously, this was a two-stage process of hot rolling and cold stretching, followed by spooling.
The upgrade allows for output of larger and heavier coils of up to 8 tonnes, which makes production more efficient, Kallanish hears. Cold processing eliminates stretching and spooling for part of the range of products. Nevertheless, some of the cold-stretched ring production as well as the production of mesh and spacers will remain as part of the mill’s downstream processing section.
Feralpi Stahl highlights that the inauguration also marks the start of the first “green” rolling mill in Germany, enabled by the continuous hot endless rolling process, which prevents scope 1 CO2 emissions. The firm notes it is one of two German steel mills awarded with the EU’s EMAS label for emissions far below the permitted standard.
“We firmly believe in Germany’s growth potential and want to be a driving force behind this economic recovery,” says Feralpi Group president Giuseppe Pasini. “However, to translate this confidence into concrete results, synergic action with German and European politics is essential. In particular, we believe it is crucial to urgently address the issue of high energy prices, which has a heavy impact on the competitiveness of our industry, and to recognise the centrality of ferrous scrap as a strategic raw material for a circular economy and resilient manufacturing.”
Christian Koehl Germany
NW European coil prices steady against import offers
Coil prices by northwestern European mills have remained little changed in recent weeks, despite competitive imports being available on the market.
While prices for hot rolled coil by domestic mills have been sitting at around €650/tonne ($729/t), the price of material coming in from overseas is €50/t lower on a cif Antwerp basis, according to one German manager.
With additional transport costs, this material makes little sense for German buyers but could for those near the Belgian/Dutch coast with shorter transport ways, he suggests.
One French-based trader nixes that option, adding the duty that has to be factored in nowadays, meaning that HRC imports tend to be above €600/t, he says.
“The difference to European domestic prices is really minimal,” he tells Kallanish. He says he still gets frequent inquiries from customers, “but they are only testing the waters,” and few actual deals are struck.
He believes that 80% of all steel is bought from domestic mills, and only 20% from imports – split into sales from existing stocks, and new orders.
The price gap is even thinner for hot dip galvanized coil, he notes. Imports of this material cost between €700-730/t ddp, meaning when including duty, they are largely in line with EU ex-works prices.
Inside the EU, Italian offers are lacking competitiveness against northern prices.
“We do buy there, too,” one southern German buyer says. “But the freight cost is high, and you end up with little difference to northern prices.”
Christian Koehl Germany
European steel CRC, HDG prices static on lack of demand
Southern Europe
Suppliers in Italy were heard offering hot dipped galvanized coil at €740-750 ($827-839) per tonne ex-works during the assessment period.
Buyers’ estimated tradeable values at €730-740 per tonne ex-works.
Spanish suppliers were hoping to achieve even higher numbers of €770-785 per tonne ex-works, but buyers saw these offers as unworkable.
Lack of real demand from the key consumer sectors – the automotive and construction industries – as well as sufficient stocks at buyers, did not support further rises.
“Mills abandoned the idea of pushing [flat steel] prices further upward [and] offers at €800 per tonne [ex-works] are no longer on the table. Moods have soured,” a buyer in Spain said.
As a result, Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel hot-dipped galvanized coil, domestic, exw Southern Europe, was €740-750 per tonne on Wednesday, narrowing upward slightly compared with €730-750 per tonne in the previous week.
In terms of imports, some Asian suppliers were heard offering HDG at €700-730 per tonne CFR to ports in Southern Europe. The lowest offers were from Vietnam at €680-685 per tonne CFR.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel hot-dipped galvanized coil, import, cfr main port Southern Europe, was €670-700 per tonne on May 14, with the price range widening upward compared with €670-680 per tonne the previous week.
Meanwhile, the markets for both imported and domestic cold-rolled coil (CRC) remained largely quiet in the region during the assessment period, with prices unchanged week on week.
Offers of domestic CRC in the Italian market were heard around €720-730 per tonne ex-works, with buyers estimating the workable market level at €710-730 per tonne ex-works.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel cold-rolled coil, domestic, exw Southern Europe, was unchanged at €710-730 per tonne on Wednesday.
In terms of imports, Asian suppliers were heard offering CRC to Italy at €650-670 per tonne CFR. From Turkey, offers were heard at €670 per tonne CFR.
Bids were reported at €630-640 per tonne CFR.
Northern Europe
CRC and HDG prices in Northern Europe remained largely stable in the week to May 15, market sources said, with only domestic cold-rolled coil showing any changes in pricing.
Industry sources reported muted demand for both products in the region, with bookings mainly hand-to-mouth, and buyers expecting prices to dip.
Suppliers, however, were reluctant to step back, citing high costs of production.
In addition, market sources pointed out that mills were unwilling to reduce spot prices due to imminent long-term contract negotiations with end-users for the second half of 2025.
Mills in Northern Europe were heard offering CRC at €730-750 per tonne ex-works during the assessment week. But buyers’ estimates of tradeable values were lower, at €720-730 per tonne ex-works.
As a result, Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel cold-rolled coil, domestic, exw Northern Europe, was €720-730 per tonne on May 14, narrowing downward from €720-740 per tonne the previous week.
HDG prices in Northern Europe were unchanged during the assessment week.
Market participants estimated the tradable market level for HDG in Northern Europe at €730-750 per tonne ex-works, against offers of €750-780 per tonne ex-works.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel hot-dipped galvanized coil, domestic, exw Northern Europe, was €730-750 per tonne on Wednesday, unchanged week on week.
European green steel premiums stable; economic woes limit buying interest
European buyers told Fastmarkets that sustainability was currently a “secondary problem, while the steel industry has to operate in survival mode.”
As for long-term offtake agreements, sources said there is still demand for green steel supplies for 2026-2027 and beyond, adding that they expect demand for decarbonized steel to pick in the long run, driven by new regulations.
“Green steel production is ramping up, but the pace is slower than we originally expected,” a buyer source in Europe said.
New green steel capacity in Europe will be mostly represented by EAFs and direct-reduced iron (DRI) modules, with about 40-50 million tonnes of new steelmaking capacity expected to come online in 2026-2027, according to Fastmarkets estimates.
In the spot market, a willingness to pay premiums for steel with reduced carbon emissions content was still limited among European buyers.
Sources once again pointed to the lack of clarity on standards for green steel in Europe, which was slowing its uptake across all supply chains.
Fastmarkets’ methodology defines European green steel as “steel produced with Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions at a maximum of 0.8 tonne of CO2 per tonne of steel.”
Buyer sources estimated that the achievable premiums for green steel with that level of emissions should be close to €100-150 per tonne. One buyer even suggested that some transactions for green steel could have been done with a zero premium “for marketing purposes.”
One mill source said that the premium for steel produced with such emissions content should be no lower than €170-180 per tonne.
At the same time, green steel that falls under the Fastmarlets specifications was on offer at a premium of €200-300 per tonne during the assessment week.
Mills admitted, however, there was room for discounts on significant tonnages.
Fastmarkets’ assessment for the green steel domestic, flat-rolled, differential to HRC index, exw Northern Europe was €150-200 per tonne on Thursday, unchanged week-on-week.
The willingness to pay premiums in the green long steel sector was even lower than for flat steel, because the normal production route for long steel is already less-polluting than most flat steel production.
Most long steel producers in Europe using electric-arc-furnaces (EAFs), which have lower emissions than blast furnaces (BFs) and blast oxygen furnaces (BOFs).
“It’s both blessing and a curse to be an EAF-based steelmaker on a decarbonization journey,” a mill source in Italy said, because “most state funds/grants to facilitate decarbonization are allocated to the BF-BOF steelmakers.”
Fastmarkets’ methodology defines European green long steel as “steel produced with Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions at a maximum of 0.5 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of steel.” EAF producers, which use scrap as feedstock – typically emit around 0.8 tonne of CO2 per tonne of steel.
Italian heavy steel plate prices under downward pressure; Northern Europe market unchanged
Italy
Steel heavy plate prices in Italy narrowed down in the week to Wednesday, with the market “under [downward] pressure,” according to market participants.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel domestic plate, 8-40mm, exw Southern Europe on Wednesday was €630-640 ($706-717) per tonne, down from €630-650 per tonne on May 7.
One source said that buyers have been targeting lower prices, but another said larger volumes were being offered at significant discounts.
The second source told Fastmarkets there was concern about the upcoming summer slowdown in consruction activity.
But Italian plate was on offer in southern Germany at €700-720 per tonne delivered, Fastmarkets understands.
Imports from Asia to southern Europe, meanwhile, remained flat in the week to Wednesday.
Northern Europe
In Northern Europe, domestic commodity-grade steel heavy plate prices remained stable after widening down last week.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel domestic plate, 8-40mm, exw Northern Europe was unchanged at €670-700 per tonne on Wednesday.
Pricing pressure on German mills has been less severe than in Italy, largely due to several “’big projects,” sources said, with consistent support from end-user demand.
