European steel heavy plate prices narrow down amid slow trade, weak demand
Domestic heavy steel plate prices in Europe fell in the week to Thursday September 25, dragged down by weak demand and slow trade, sources told Fastmarkets.
Italy
Italian domestic commodity-grade plate prices narrowed down in the week, amid limited buying and slow demand, according to sources.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel domestic plate, 8-40mm, exw Southern Europe was €600-610 ($701-713) per tonne on Thursday, narrowing down by €10 per tonne from €600-620 per tonne a week earlier.
Northern Europe
In Northern Europe, sources said the market was quiet “with close to no deals.”
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel domestic plate, 8-40mm, exw Northern Europe was €620-655 per tonne on Thursday, narrowing down by €10 per tonne from €620-665 per tonne a week earlier.
“All plate mills in northern Europe tried during and after the vacation period to jack-up prices, but customers only purchased the ‘commodity grade’ material they urgently needed to complete projects,” a trader source said.
Commodity grade delivery times are one or two months, the trader source added, but said that activity was more “constant” for specialty plate products used for offshore foundations or monopiles for offshore wind farms, which had delivery times of two or three months.
European rebar, wire rod prices on downward track
Domestic rebar and wire rod prices in Europe declined in the week to Wednesday, September 24, mainly due to a general lack of demand, but also because of falling scrap prices and pressure from imports, sources told Fastmarkets.
“In September, the market did not come back the way it should,” a producer source from Germany told Fastmarkets, adding that the ongoing weakening of scrap prices was adding to the decline in the long steel segment.
But he said the workable price for big tonnages was around €600 ($705.75) per tonne delivered in Germany and up to €630 per tonne delivered for small tonnages.
A source from Austria reported rebar from local and German producers was available at around €615 per tonne delivered.
In France, meanwhile, rebar from Italy was available at €605-615 per tonne delivered, according to sources.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar) domestic, delivered Northern Europe widened down to €600-630 per tonne on September 24 from €630 per tonne on September 17.
And Fastmarkets’ price assessment for steel wire rod (mesh quality) domestic, delivered Northern Europe, was €575-585 per tonne on Thursday, down from €590-600 per tonne on September 17.
In Italy domestic rebar prices fell by €10-20 per tonne over the week driven by stiff competition from imports, lower scrap costs and weak demand caused by unfavorable weather.
In the north of the country, which traditionally forms the lower end of the range due to high concentration of mills, rebar prices varied around €520-540 per tonne ex-works in the week to Wednesday, down from €530-550 per tonne ex-works a week earlier.
In the south, rebar was available at €550-560 per tonne ex-works, compared with €570-580 per tonne ex-works last week.
“It’s been raining for days,” a local processor said, referring to the impact on construction activity.
“Demand remains rather weak and scrap prices have fallen by €10-15 per tonne, while energy costs have fallen by a few percentage points,” a second Italian processor told Fastmarkets.
“This trend is reflected in the rather stagnant rebar market, which is in a downward phase, with buyers preferring to delay their purchases,” the processor added.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar), ex-works Italy, was €520-560 per tonne on September 24, down from €530-580 per tonne on September 17.
Fastmarkets price assessment for steel wire rod (mesh quality) domestic, delivered Southern Europe, which includes Italian and Spanish prices fell to €580-600 per tonne on September 24, down by by €10 per tonne from €590-610 per tonne on September 17.
Fastmarkets’ price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar) domestic, delivered Spain remained unchanged at €640-645 per tonne on September 24.
EU plans tariffs of 25%-50% on Chinese steel and related products, Handelsblatt reports
The European Commission plans to impose tariffs of 25% to 50% on Chinese steel and related products in the next few weeks, German business daily Handelsblatt reported citing senior officials in Brussels.
The European Commission had no immediate comment.
The Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen had said earlier this month it would propose a new method to curb steel imports to protect domestic producers, as global overcapacity was straining margins and making it harder for Europe’s steel industry to invest in decarbonisation.
She added the Commission would propose a new, long-term trade instrument to succeed the expiring steel safeguards. Under global trade rules, the bloc cannot prolong existing steel safeguards beyond mid-2026.
China’s steel exports, meanwhile, are expected to hit an all-time high this year, rising between 4% and 9% to about 115 million to 120 million metric tons, according to forecasts from analysts.
More than half of the world’s steel is produced by China, which is in need of new markets after a prolonged property sector slump has dampened domestic market consumption.
Roughly 54 tariffs and other trade barriers have been initiated against Chinese steel from 2024, according to China Trade Remedies Information, with analysts saying more exports will encourage further curbs.
European steel producers also face U.S. tariffs of 50%.
The European Union had, in late July, started monitoring imports and exports of scrap metal including steel, aluminium and copper after stark industry warnings of shortages and the risk of smelter shutdowns.
EU smelters have been struggling for some time to secure supplies of scrap metal, which is a major input and an integral part of the bloc’s push to reduce carbon emissions.
Reporting by Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt and Katha Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Nick Zieminski and Krishna Chandra Eluri
Gerber Steel: EU falling behind in green steel transition as China surges ahead
German stainless steel distributor Gerber Steel has criticized the European Union’s slow progress on its green steel transition, noting that the bloc is failing to meet its decarbonization goals.
Alongside these structural shifts, raw material markets in Europe and Asia remain firm. Iron ore futures on the Singapore Exchange are trading above $106/mt, reflecting resilient demand from global steelmakers.
Europe’s missed green steel targets
Instead of driving industrial transformation, Europe’s steel sector is weighed down by regulatory complexity, subsidy debates, and protectionist measures. Many steelmakers have either frozen their conversion plans, postponed projects, or reconsidered investments.
The underlying reasons are clear: unfavorable market conditions, high risk exposure, and insufficient protection from imports. This reliance on policy shields is preventing the bold steps needed for Europe to lead the global green steel transition.
China moves ahead with green steel partnerships
In contrast, China has made tangible progress. Domestic steelmakers have been shifting to low-emission production methods for years and are now preparing to supply greener materials to industrial customers.
A key milestone is the partnership between HBIS Group and BMW Group China, announced in 2022. Starting in 2026, BMW will integrate HBIS green steel into its vehicle production in China. This agreement shows how the shift from carbon-intensive to green steel can be achieved through market- and competition-oriented ways without heavy reliance on subsidies and protectionism.
A lesson from China’s Steel Action Plan
China’s recently-published Steel Action Plan reinforces this trajectory. Its first principle calls for “strengthening industry management to promote survival of the fittest”, signaling a strategy built on innovation, consolidation, and competitive progress.
Gerber Steel contrasts this with Europe’s current path, where additional protectionism and regulatory delays risk leaving the region further behind in the global steel decarbonization race.
ArcelorMittal Sestao picks Danieli for new green steel upgrades in Spain
Spanish steelmaker ArcelorMittal Sestao, part of ArcelorMittal’s European operations, has launched a new phase in its decarbonization and capacity expansion program at its Vizcaya plant in Spain.
The company has entrusted Italy-based plantmaker Danieli with the supply of a state-of-the-art fume-treatment plant and a vacuum degasser, reinforcing its strategy to achieve zero-carbon emissions while enhancing productivity and product range.
Investment in green steel infrastructure
The new facilities form a core element of ArcelorMittal Sestao’s investment roadmap, targeting zero-carbon emissions and greater competitiveness in the European flat steel market. Both units are expected to become operational in August 2026, according to Danieli.
Fume-treatment plant to increase capacity
The fume-treatment plant installed by Danieli will serve the existing EAF No. 1, enabling full utilization of the two electric arc furnaces (EAFs). This upgrade will increase the plant’s productivity up to 1.6 million metric tons per year.
Vacuum degasser for high-quality flat products
Alongside the FTP, a new vacuum degasser (VD) station will be installed, equipped with mechanical dry vacuum pumps. This system will allow the production of ultra-clean steel, with precise chemical control and minimal nitrogen and hydrogen levels.
This step broadens ArcelorMittal Sestao’s steel grade portfolio, particularly in advanced flat products, catering to demanding applications in automotive, infrastructure, and clean technologies.
Thyssenkrupp Schulte and Tubos Reunidos partner for Europe’s sustainable steel transition
Spanish seamless steel tube producer Tubos Reunidos has announced a strategic partnership with German steelmaker Thyssenkrupp’s materials distribution and service provider subsidiary Thyssenkrupp Schulte to expand the reach of O-Next® sustainable steel across Europe.
The collaboration aims to decarbonize supply chains while meeting the stringent performance and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) requirements of industrial customers.
Partnership for sustainable growth
The declaration of intent makes Thyssenkrupp Schulte the exclusive distribution ally for O-Next®. This ensures that a wide network of European manufacturers, infrastructure developers, and energy companies can now access ultra-low-emission tubular steel solutions.
Thyssenkrupp Schulte strengthens its sustainability agenda through this partnership, having already cut 75,000 mt of carbon (Scope 1 and 2) from its operations.
O-Next®: redefining steelmaking standards
Tubos Reunidos has shifted away from traditional blast furnace methods toward electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy. O-Next® achieves groundbreaking emissions reductions with:
- Scope 1 & 2 emissions: 0.045 metric ton of carbon per metric ton of steel
- Total including Scope 3: 0.4 metric ton of carbon per metric ton of steel
By comparison, conventional steelmaking typically generates more than 1.8 metric ton carbon per metric ton of steel.
Thanks to this partnership, customers across Europe can now access a broad range of carbon reduced steel tube solutions, including cold-drawn precision tubes, hydraulic line tubes, hot rolled tubes in C-grades and high-alloy and stainless steel tubes.
Steel Derivatives issue highlighted at FFDM’s 18th convention in Paris
EUROMETAL had the pleasure of participating in the 18th Convention of the FFDM (Fédération française de la distribution et de la transformation des métaux), held on Thursday, 25 September 2025, in Paris at the Tour MGEN Auditorium.
Under the theme “Tempête géopolitique : garder le cap” (“Geopolitical storm: staying on course”), the convention brought together over 200 participants from across the French metals value chain, including distributors, processors, industry leaders, economists, and policymakers.
During the official keynote address, FFDM President Laurent Noirclerc gave special attention to EUROMETAL’s recent initiative to identify steel derivative products flooding the European market — often bypassing safeguard measures, undermining ecological objectives, and ultimately threatening the integrity of the EU distribution chain. His endorsement reinforces the growing recognition that derivative imports are a critical blind spot in current EU trade and environmental regulations.
The day featured a series of high-level presentations, including insights from:
- Sylvie Bermann, former French Ambassador to China, the UK, and Russia, on the shifting global order.
- Arnaud Montebourg, former French Minister of Economy, on reindustrialisation and “Made in France” strategy.
- Philippe Dessertine, economist, on new paths to growth amid uncertainty.
- Experts from the French Building Federation (FFB) and Allianz Trade provided outlooks on construction and global risk.
The event concluded with a networking cruise along the Seine aboard the Paquebot des Yachts de Paris, fostering further exchange between participants.
Metinvest, Danieli complete €3bn flats mill JV closing
Metinvest and Danieli have completed the closing of Metinvest Adria, their long-awaited joint venture that will oversee their new €3 billion ($3.5bn) low-carbon flat steel mill in Piombino, Tuscany. The deal was completed earlier this month after all conditions in the shareholders’ agreement, including regulatory approvals, were met.
The new plant that will be built with technology supplied by Danieli. It will have a production capacity of 2.7 million tonnes/year of hot-rolled steel with significantly reduced CO2 emissions. The project will relaunch the Piombino industrial site that has been idle for over a decade, generating around 1,100 jobs with strong backing from Italian national and local authorities, the two firms say in a note obtained by Kallanish.
Metinvest will hold a 75% equity stake in the venture, while Danieli retains 25%. The project will be financed through a combination of shareholder equity, external debt, and state support. The equity contribution will be split 75/25, with Metinvest holding 75% and Danieli 25%. Governance will be handled by an eight-member board, split equally between Metinvest and Danieli, along with a supervisory board.
“The completion of the transaction marks an important milestone in the strategic partnership between Metinvest and the Danieli Group, aimed at developing a state-of-the-art plant for steel production and flat product rolling in Italy,” the note states.
Earlier this month, Metinvest Adria officially signed the programme agreement with both central and local authorities, marking a major milestone in the development of the new plant.
The programme agreement was signed with the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIT), the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security (MASE), the Ministry of Labour, the Tuscany Region, the City of Piombino, and other local authorities. Additionally, Metinvest Adria has signed a separate development agreement with MIMIT.
Both agreements are critical steps in securing the necessary public and private financial commitments to develop the steel production hub in Piombino. In parallel, an insurance coverage guarantee agreement has been finalised with Italian state entity SACE, further strengthening the project’s financial framework. This follows the recent signing of an agreement between Metinvest Adria and trade unions, paving the way for worker involvement and local stakeholder alignment (see Kallanish passim).
Natalia Capra France
Non-prime coil could gain favour among European buyers
European coil buyers may be inclined to increasingly purchase non-prime material, as a consequence of the continued lull in demand, but also as part of a long-term development.
“I see more people asking for non-prime material” amid the prevailing caution not to overspend on volumes that might further lose value, a Benelux trader tells Kallanish. “This, of course, is only for applications where it is possible to use non-prime,” he adds.
Steel service centres (SSC) prefer to stick to prime material for their processing, but have not excluded the possibility of sourcing non-prime, secondary material. A German SSC manager notes: “It depends on the purpose. If the part is not visible on the outside, many are okay with 2A [a German secondary-quality steel grading],” he says. However, 1A remains the firm’s mainstay and customers would not typically substitute one for the other, he adds.
Sometimes, mills downgrade prime material to 2A, to have a reason to sell it at a lower price without losing face. There has long been a system for doing this, one observer says. For cold rolled coil, the German classification range goes from the customary DC-01 grade up to DC-05, which would fetch some €40/tonne ($47) more.
“[The major mill’s] products are normally DC-03,” he explains. “From them, buyers normally order DC-01, as they know they will receive DC-03, because for the mill it does not pay to adjust production too often. And then the buyers from their customers can still certify it as DC-03, and charge a correspondingly higher price.”
This can also work to the disadvantage of buyers from mills. The trader tells the case of one buyer who did not ask for certificates and bought for years from a big mill group, which was very happy as it could use non-prime and sell it at prime prices. A new manager at the buyer company then questioned the purchases and started buying from the trader rather than the mill.
Regarding current market prices, players see little change from the €570-580/tonne ex-works ($671-682) range that has prevailed for hot rolled coil for several weeks. Cold rolled coil will cost the customary premium of €80/t.
Christian Koehl Germany
SSAB and DEPENBROCK partner to use fossil-free steel in sustainable construction projects
Swedish specialty steelmaker SSAB and German construction group DEPENBROCK have announced that they have formed a new partnership to promote the use of fossil-free steel in construction. The collaboration reflects DEPENBROCK’s strategy to lower the ecological footprint of its projects while supporting clients who face increasing sustainability and regulatory requirements.
Steel is a core material in modern infrastructure due to its strength, load-bearing capacity, and versatility. However, the sector accounts for a significant share of global carbon emissions. By shifting to fossil-free steel, the construction industry can substantially cut emissions without compromising performance.
For DEPENBROCK’s clients, this integration provides:
– Ecological benefits: reduced carbon footprint across projects
– Economic benefits: access to improved financing conditions
– Market advantages: eligibility for sustainability certifications and compliance with stricter ESG requirements
Partnership scope
The partnership focuses on applying SSAB’s fossil-free steel to civil and hydraulic engineering projects. These projects are central to both public and private infrastructure development, making the potential environmental gains substantial.
The cooperation also offers long-term advantages:
– Strengthening low-emission, resource-efficient construction practices
– Promoting innovative solutions for sustainable project development
– Enhancing the partners’ competitiveness in the global market for green infrastructure
