Carl Brockmeyer to head thyssenkrupp Materials Distribution & Trading
Carl Brockmeyer will become chief executive of the Distribution & Trading business unit at thyssenkrupp Materials Services on 1 December, the company informs Kallanish.
He will take over from Detlef Schotten, who will retire from tk Materials Services in March 2026 after more than 30 years with the company, following a transition and handover period.
Brockmeyer has been working at international industrial companies for around 20 years and has extensive experience in strategic business development as well as in the areas of service and digitalisation. He has held various positions at Oerlikon and Atlas Copco.
Ilse Henne, ceo of tk Material Services, emphasises Brockmeyer’s contacts with various customer industries that are important for the company. This and “his many years of international experience, particularly in North America, will help us continue our transformation from a pure materials distributor to a service provider,” she says.
Christian Koehl Germany
European Parliament gives final CBAM simplification approval
The European Commission has given its final green light to changes simplifying the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), with 617 votes to 18, and 19 abstentions.
The amended law sets a new de minimis mass threshold whereby imports up to 50 tonnes per importer per year will not be subject to CBAM rules. It replaces the current threshold exempting goods of negligible value. The new threshold exempts 90% of importers − mainly small and medium-sized enterprises and individuals − who import only small quantities of CBAM-covered goods.
However, 99% of total CO2 emissions from imports of iron, steel, aluminium, cement and fertilisers will still be covered by CBAM.
The Parliament gave its initial approval to the CBAM simplification amendment in May. It was then reviewed for approval by the committee responsible for interinstitutional negotiations. The text now still has to be officially endorsed by the Council.
The amendments will also create safeguards to ensure rules are met and anti-abuse provisions to strengthen prevention of circumvention of the rules, a European Parliament note says.
The rules on imports still covered by CBAM are also simplified, regarding for instance: the authorisation process, the calculation of emissions, verification rules and the financial liability of authorised CBAM declarants, it adds.
Adam Smith Austria
MEPs urge January safeguard replacement, 2012-2013 import target
A group of 106 MEPs has urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to implement the steel safeguard replacement measure from 1 January 2026, aiming for 85% EU capacity utilisation and import shares of 2012-2013 levels.
In a letter dated 11 September to von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné and Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič, the MEPs pointed to July’s French government-led non-paper. Backed by 11 EU member states, this set out a comprehensive vision for the design of the new trade defence instrument.
The MEPs, including Committee on Industry, Research and Energy coordinators Christian Ehler, Dan Nica and Christophe Grudler, emphasise the framework must also apply a meaningful tariff on imports out of quota, to effectively limit the imports to the targeted market shares. “It must provide for a comprehensive coverage of all relevant products and countries, including steel derivatives where appropriate. Lastly, the Commission should assess the effectiveness of a ‘melted and poured’ rule of origin to address the issue of circumvention,” the letter reads.
“In addition to providing the highly effective protection to the European steel industry that is so urgently needed, the new framework must comply with the Union’s international obligations, notably by being WTO-compatible,” the MEPs write.
“Lastly, we urge you to also consider the competitiveness of steel-using sectors. Next to a strong and highly effective trade safeguard for steel, measures to boost the competitiveness of steel-using sectors should also be adopted. The European Union cannot afford to lose competitiveness of one industry at the expense of another’s, but must act from a holistic approach,” they add.
The next few months are shaping up to be extremely busy for the European Commission. Besides the safeguard replacement, the Commission is expected to publish crucial CBAM benchmarks in the fourth quarter, accompanied by a legislative proposal extending CBAM to downstream products and introducing additional anti-circumvention measures. A measure to support EU steelmakers’ export competitiveness has also been promised.
Adam Smith Austria
UK construction sustainability standard misalignment disqualifying domestic steel
The construction sector pathway to net zero is excluding domestic steel from being used in projects due to a misalignment in sustainability standards between the two sectors, panellists said during last week’s UK Metals Expo in Birmingham, attended by Kallanish.
Ben Cunliffe, director of sustainability at British Steel, told delegates there needed to be an “urgent discussion” regarding the “alignment of steel consuming sectors and alignment particularly of government policy”.
The construction sector, which is British Steel’s largest steel consuming sector, is taking a completely different path to net zero, he noted. He added the sector was in a race to remove embodied carbon steel from buildings. The impact of that means “British Steel or other steel producers in this country are essentially disqualified from supply into an increasing number of projects, [which] are being replaced by imports,” he added.
There is a “complete mismatch between, on one hand, the steel industry doing its best to decarbonise and being part of national policy, and on the other hand, the market being offshored for structural steel,” he noted.
This was causing serious difficulties for the steelmaker, and the issue was being made worse by the wide market adoption of product classifications such as Steelzero and the construction leadership council. These frameworks disqualify UK produced steel from supply into British projects, Cunliffe highlighted.
“Why are we allowing that to happen?” he asked.
He also highlighted the Welsh government net zero policy excludes steel by Tata Steel and British Steel from schools, hospitals and public buildings. “They’ve failed to understand the bigger picture of the UK Steel Strategy,” he added.
He warned of deindustrialisation in place of decarbonisation as a serious threat for the UK.
Elsewhere, during a separate panel discussion on the construction sector, panellists noted a divergence in the willingness to pay for low-emission steel used in projects.
Jonathan Clemens, ceo at BCSA, highlighted the divide in the construction sector for these products. “There are certain markets, [such as] commercial in London which is very much into the green agenda, and there are certain clients in parts of the UK and certain product types [that have] no interest at all in low-carbon steel,” he said.
“It isn’t everyone all going in one direction. Part of the challenge is the cost of lower carbon steel versus traditional steel,” he concluded.
Carrie Bone UK
EU’s finished steel imports down seven percent in Q2 2025
According to the Economic and Steel Market Outlook 2025-2026/Q3 2025 Report from the Economic Committee of the European Steel Association (EUROFER), total steel imports into the EU, including semis, decreased by three percent year on year in the second quarter of 2025.
During the same quarter, the EU’s imports of flat steel fell by nine percent year on year, while imports of long steel decreased by two percent and imports of finished steel products moved down by seven percent, both on year-on-year basis.
In the second quarter, Turkey, South Korea, China, India and Ukraine were the main countries of origin for finished steel imports into the EU. The first five countries accounted for 57 percent of total EU finished steel imports in the first six months. Turkey became the leading exporting country to the EU, with a share of 21 percent, followed by South Korea with 12 percent, China with nine percent, and Ukraine and India each with eight percent.
In the April-June period, imports of finished products from Ukraine rose significantly by 44 percent, while imports from Turkey and China went up by 41 percent and 11 percent, respectively. Imports from India, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, on the other hand, decreased by 50 percent, 40 percent, 17 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
According to the EUROFER report, imports have been volatile throughout 2024 and 2025, following fluctuations from the previous four years. After declining from late 2022 to mid-2023 due to weak demand, imports rebounded in 2024. It is too early to assess the impact of US tariffs from available 2025 data, and increasing trade uncertainty has made patterns highly unpredictable. Despite this volatility, imports remained at historically high levels through the second quarter of 2025, representing 25 percent of consumption and widening the trade deficit with third countries.
Germany urges EU to delay phaseout of free carbon allowances for heavy industry
Germany is urging the European Union to delay the phaseout of free carbon allowances for energy-intensive industries under the EU’s emissions trading system (ETS), according to a report by Bloomberg.
Citing rising energy costs and economic pressure, Berlin argues that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), designed to replace free allocations, will not provide sufficient protection for Europe’s heavy industries.
The EU’s ETS rules are set to tighten in 2026, requiring more industries to purchase carbon certificates if they fail to cut emissions.
Free allocations of carbon certificates, long granted to sectors like steel, cement, and chemicals, are scheduled to be phased out by 2034. The phaseout begins with aviation in 2026, gradually extending to other sectors.
The EU plans to replace free allocations with CBAM, which imposes a carbon levy on imports of carbon-intensive goods such as steel and cement.
At a reception hosted by energy company RWE AG in Berlin, German economy minister Katherina Reiche argued that free allocations must remain in place to prevent deindustrialization.
She warned that, without additional safeguards, essential sectors risk collapse, adding that Germany will seek a solution with the European Commission.
German industrial groups have voiced strong support for Berlin’s stance:
- Thyssenkrupp has called for a slower phaseout of free allowances, citing risks to steel competitiveness.
- The IGBCE union warned that current rules risk “killing our businesses”.
- Analysts stress that CBAM may not adequately protect complex industries, such as chemicals, where imports are more difficult to regulate.
The debate comes at a time of economic weakness in Germany. The country faces high US tariffs and elevated energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The prolonged downturn underscores the fragile state of heavy industry, raising fears of job losses and reduced investment.
The European Commission is currently preparing to expand CBAM’s scope to cover additional carbon-intensive products and strengthen rules to address circumvention tactics by trading partners.
Polish rebar prices up despite low demand
Over the week to Friday, market participants estimated the workable market for rebar at around 2,400-2,420 zloty ($664-669) per tonne CPT, compared with 2,370-2,420 zloty per tonne CPT heard in the previous assessment period.
According to market sources, despite mills pushing for higher offers, prices will still be “under pressure” over the next few weeks due to scrap prices and because of “low demand” from the market.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar) domestic, cpt Poland was also 2,400-2,420 zloty per tonne on Friday, narrowing upward from 2,370-2,420 zloty per tonne the previous week.
Meanwhile, wire rod prices remained stable this week.
Fastmarkets’ price assessment for steel wire rod (drawing quality), domestic, delivered Poland was 2,580-2,650 zloty per tonne on Friday, unchanged week on week.
European HRC market stays quiet as buyers hold back from restocking
Fastmarkets’ calculation of the daily steel HRC index, domestic, exw Northern Europe, was €580.31 ($682.39) per tonne on Monday, up by just €0.31per tonne from €580.00 per tonne on Friday September 12.
The Northern European index was up by €3.23 per tonne week on week and by €11.14 per tonne month on month.
Trading remained muted in the region, with buyers still keeping to the sidelines, assessing the market situation.
Several buyers told Fastmarkets that they had purchased enough coil by end-July / mid-August and therefore were in no rush to restock.
Besides, buyers refused to accept higher offers for November-December delivery coil, claiming demand was not strong enough to allow for a second round of price rises.
Buyer estimates of the tradable values for HRC in Northern Europe came in at between €570 per tonne and €590 per tonne ex-works, with transactions reported at €580-585 per tonne ex-works for October delivery HRC in Germany and the Benelux area.
At the same time, official offers were heard at €600-630 per tonne ex-works for HRC with delivery in October-November.
Several market sources suggested that domestic HRC prices in Europe could see some upward movement in the fourth quarter, though uncertainty around the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and safeguard measures may be dampening interest in fresh import bookings.
“European producers may find room to lift domestic prices slightly, provided increases remain reasonable; otherwise, buyers could still weigh the risks and turn to imports,” a buyer in Germany said.
In Southern Europe, meanwhile, Fastmarkets’ corresponding daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Italy was calculated at €548.75 per tonne on Monday, up by €0.25 per tonne from €548.50 per tonne on Friday.
The Italian index was down by €1.67 per tonne week on week but up by €11.25 per tonne month on month.
The Italian market restarted on a slow note in September, with little trading activity reported so far.
Local mills offering October-November delivery HRC came at €580-600 per tonne delivered (€570-585 per tonne ex-works).
Buyer estimates of achievable prices were reported at €540-550 per tonne ex-works.
So far, buyers deemed new offers as unworkable, considering lack of support from end-user demand.
In the secondary market, 4mm HR sheet was on offer at €650 per tonne CPT, with steel service centers looking to raise prices to €670-680 per tonne CPT, but demand was not strong enough to support this.
Offers for overseas coil were largely stable on Monday.
HRC from Turkish suppliers was offered at €520-540 per tonne CFR, including the EU anti-dumping duty, for late November arrival.
HRC From India was on offer in Italy at €520-530 per tonne CFR for November shipment, while HRC from Indonesia was on offer at €485-490 per tonne CFR, with larger transactions reported at the lower end of the price range from the previous week.
Domestic HRC prices hold ground in Europe; some import booking come to light, despite looming CBAM risks
Steel hot-rolled coil prices in Europe continued to stabilize in the week to Friday September 12, with slow demand hindering mill attempts to increase prices, sources told Fastmarkets.
Quiet trading conditions prevailed in the European HRC market in the week to Friday, amid a lack of the usual bullish momentum after the summer break – largely due to a lack of support from end-user demand, Fastmarkets understands.
Several major buyers told Fastmarkets they have no intention of restocking yet, having purchased sufficient volumes in July and August.
“Prices [for HRC] have been stable for the past three or four weeks [and] mill attempts to get higher prices have failed because demand is just not there and the market is oversupplied,” a buyer in Germany said.
“Mills, however, do not want to drop prices ahead of long-term contract negotiations with automotive [customers],” the buyer added.
Buyer estimates of the tradable values for HRC in Northern Europe came in at between €570 per tonne and €590 per tonne ex-works.
This was in contrast with offers heard at €600-630 per tonne ex-works for HRC with delivery in October-November.
Sources said they expect the next round of restocking to start in early October, but added that volumes were likely to remain limited.
Fastmarkets’ calculation of the daily steel HRC index, domestic, exw Northern Europe, was €580.00 ($679.27) per tonne on September 12, down by €0.83 per tonne from €580.83 per tonne on September 11.
The Northern European index was up by €1.67 per tonne week on week and by €8.99 per tonne month on month.
In Southern Europe, meanwhile, Fastmarkets’ corresponding daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Italy was calculated at €548.50 per tonne on Friday, up by €1.00 per tonne from €547.50 per tonne on Thursday.
The Italian index was up down by €2.33 per tonne week on week but up by €8.50 per tonne month on month.
Prices for HRC in the Italian market were also fairly stable on Friday, amid limited trading.
Buyer estimates of achievable prices wee reported at 540-550 per tonne ex-works, while mill offers came in at €580-600 per tonne delivered (€570-585 per tonne ex-works).
“The major [price] trend reversal is not happening yet,” a buyer in Italy told Fastmarkets. “Yes, [HRC] prices have stopped falling and have tended to stabilize over the past few weeks, but no major rebound has happened.”
Offers for overseas coil were little changed in Europe in the week to Friday, with two large-size deals reported.
Around 40,000-42,000 tonnes of HRC from Saudi Arabia with September shipment was booked, with most sources reporting that the booking was done at around €520-530 per tonne CFR. No details were revealed, but two sources said the booking was made to Antwerp.
“Saudi Arabia is not covered by [the EU] safeguards and delivery in 2025 was guaranteed, so potentially no CBAM risks either,” a buyer in Northern Europe said.
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) comes fully into effect from January 1, 2026.
And around 20,000-25,000 tonnes of HRC from Indonesia – “with guaranteed delivery in 2025, before CBAM kicks in” – was booked in Italy at €485 per tonne CFR, Fastmarkets understands.
Sources noted that if the deliveries were late and carried over into 2026, any CBAM-related risks would be on the seller side of the equation.
Offers from Turkish suppliers in the week to September 12 were reported at around €510-525 per tonne CFR, including the EU anti-dumping duty, for late November arrival, but no booking could be confirmed by the time of publication.
And HRC From India was on offer in Italy at €520-530 per tonne CFR for October-November shipment.
CLEPA: EU losing ground in global automotive market
Europe’s automotive suppliers have issued a stark warning to authorities to support the industry or risk manufacturing capabilities leaving the continent.
“With up to 75% of the value of vehicle components made in Europe, the continent’s automotive supply industry generates substantial economic value and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs,” according to the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA). “Yet Europe’s automotive suppliers are issuing a stark warning based on a recent study of European value creation: without urgent and decisive EU action, the continent risks losing its industrial backbone, hundreds of thousands of jobs, and its capacity to lead in clean mobility and innovation.”
A new study by Roland Berger, commissioned by CLEPA, highlights that European suppliers face a cost disadvantage of 15-35%, mainly driven by high energy and labour costs, regulatory burdens, and fragmented frameworks. Meanwhile, countries such as China and the US combine industrial support measures with protective mechanisms, creating structural disadvantages and unfair competition, the association claims.
According to the study, without urgent EU action, up to 23% of European value add is at risk by 2030 through the combined effect of powertrain transition and value transfer outside the EU. In practice, Europe could see the loss of up to 350,000 jobs, eroding both employment and the industry’s wider social contributions, Kallanish notes.
“Europe is in a decisive battle for its industrial sovereignty,” says CLEPA secretary general Benjamin Krieger. “Suppliers are committed to invest and innovate, but they cannot do so on an uneven playing field. Maintaining a competitive and resilient automotive ecosystem in the EU will require urgent, market-driven action by industry and targeted policy measures, to strengthen Europe’s attractiveness as a location for manufacturing, R&D and investment.”
This includes addressing key location factors such as electricity prices and regulatory burden, while also considering policies to ensure EU local content in vehicles to retain know-how and production capacity, he adds.
Suppliers employ 1.7 million people in Europe and invest €30 billion ($35 billion) in R&D annually. CLEPA is thus urging policymakers to swiftly address competitiveness challenges, evaluate options to reduce structural costs and cut red tape. It should also prioritise technology openness in decarbonisation, in a swift revision of CO2 standards regulation for cars, vans and trucks.
Svetoslav Abrossimov Bulgaria