Liberty Pipes Hartlepool begins offshore contract production
Liberty Pipes Hartlepool has started production for a major UK energy infrastructure contract it secured in 2024, Kallanish learns.
The project will see the company supply pipelines for a key new UK energy infrastructure project led by the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) and Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power).
The contract comprises 105km of offshore pipeline infrastructure, which will be used to transport CO2 to the Endurance carbon capture storage facility in the North Sea below the seabed.
Liberty will utilise Greentec steel plate sourced from Voestalpine, Austria.
Manufacturing of the carbon steel line pipe will continue until the third quarter, the company says.
The contract is one of eight engineering, procurement and construction packages awarded by NEP/NZT Power with a combined value of around £4 billion ($5.17 billion).
Liberty Steel chief transformation officer Jeff Kabel says: “Following months of meticulous planning, mill preparation, recruitment, and training, Liberty Pipes Hartlepool is proud to announce the start of manufacturing for the NEP and NZT Power projects.”
“It is flagship project and hopefully one of many similar projects in the UK, and internationally, that the business hopes to be involved in. Liberty Pipes Hartlepool has an extensive track record in the North Sea and now, in line with our long-term strategy, we are pleased to extend our involvement in support of new Energy Transition infrastructure,” he adds.
Carrie Bone UK
German steel stockholders’ sales remain stable in 2024
Germany’s stockholding distributors sold a slightly higher tonnage of steel products in 2024 than a year earlier, according to figures from their federation, BDS.
At 9.435 million tonnes, the volume was fractionally up on 9.434mt in 2023. Monthly volumes appear to have been distributed more evenly in 2024 than 2023. In 2023, March sales of 994,000t were, for example, nearly 190,000t above April’s. December was typically the slowest month in both years, with just over 460,000t sold in each year, Kallanish notes.
Both main product categories, longs and flats, lost tonnages somewhat from 2023 to 2024, while “other products” gained. Long products sales in 2024 totalled 2.828mt and flat products came to 5.766mt.
By contrast, “other products” rose by around 140,000t to 841,000t in 2024. This category encompasses wire rod and other products that are not particularly defined in the statistics.
Christian Koehl Germany
Strategic steps for Steel: EU to outline long-term industry measures
On March 19, the EU plans to present an Action Plan on Steel and Metals, which will include additional sector-specific priority actions. This is stated in the report of the European Commission (EC) on the results of the Strategic Dialogue on Steel.
In addition, the plan will contain long-term steps to replace trade remedies that expire in June 2026. The document will also address a wide range of issues related to the industry, such as ensuring the commercial viability of clean steel production and responding to unfair trade practices.
The plan will include the results of a strategic dialogue with key representatives of the sector, which took place on March 4 under the chairmanship of EC President Ursula von der Leyen.
The strategic dialogue with the EC President brought together steel sector leaders and industry associations.
The European Steel Industry Association (Eurofer) welcomed the initiative. Eurofer CEO Axel Eggert said: “We are grateful that the Commission – at the very highest level – not only recognises these challenges but wants to work with our industry to find the right solutions».
The association continues to push for decisive action in four priority areas – trade defence measures, watertight CBAM, competitive energy prices and scrap retention in Europe.
Alexander Julius, President of EUROMETAL, which represents European steel, pipe and steel product distributors, emphasized during the dialogue that fair competition remains a crucial factor for the steel industry, and it is important for the EU to create a level playing field for the sector. In his opinion, this can be achieved by extending safeguard measures to semi-finished and finished products, which currently enter the bloc without hindrance. In addition, support for distribution, processing and manufacturing in the EU is important to stimulate innovation and create a basis for sustainable industrial activity, given Europe’s position between the US and China.
EUROMETAL also confirmed its willingness to actively participate in the CBAM working group.
As GMK Center reported earlier, on February 26, the European Commission presented the Clean Industry Agreement, a plan to support the competitiveness and future of manufacturing industries in Europe. The document positions decarbonization as a powerful driver for industrial growth. The Commission is also taking steps to make the regulatory environment more efficient, while reducing bureaucratic obstacles to business.
Spanish rebar prices keep moving up
Spanish rebar prices continue to rise, with levels gradually hiking by €15-20/tonne ($16.18-21.59) since the beginning of 2025. The recovery has been supported by increased demand in the construction sector, which is optimistic now at the start of the high season, sources tell Kallanish.
“Construction activity is resuming in Spain, with most private house building projects having started. The level of demand in the public sector is also higher. Increased activity is observed in the Valencia area, where recovery funds are already being used in the wake of the DANA [last October], Europe’s most catastrophic flood since 1967,” a market participant says.
The Spanish government is also prioritising large-scale infrastructure projects and works in the renewable energy sector, the source observes.
According to one distributor, rebar prices will remain stable in the coming weeks. “It is normal, at this time of the year, that purchases for small buildings improve. The end consumer is realising the market will not change much in March. April mill prices, however, will be subject to the current increase in scrap values,” he adds.
The monthly index for Spanish domestic rebar prices in February increased compared to the previous month, data published by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce show. The index stood at 190.51, up 1.34% on January. It was also up by 10.41% year-on-year. The index is based on a value of 100 in 2014.
16mm rebar is currently offered in Spain at €360-368/t ($353.3-360.5/t) ex-works base. An additional €262/t for size extras and loading expenses sees transaction values at €622-630/t delivered.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
ArcelorMittal’s Belval revamp approaches completion
ArcelorMittal’s SteelUp! project at Belval in Luxembourg is advancing to phase two and approaching completion. The brownfield project involves the modernisation of the site by relocating the production of semi-finished products fed to the Rodange sections mill – to reduce emissions and increase productivity.
New workstation installations will be operational, followed by a commissioning phase by year-end, Kallanish notes.
The project comprises a digitised “no man on the floor” electric arc furnace with increased safety, a 15% energy consumption reduction, and 15% heavy sections productivity hike. A new vacuum degassing system will reduce dissolved gas. The works include a continuous casting transformation system for new high-carbon steel grades and heavier beam blanks.
The scrap baskets will be enlarged to fill the furnace in one operation, boosting steel melting capacity each cycle. The company has completed the strengthening of the continuous casting.
“This reinforcement will enable the facility to produce a wide range of profiles, from 320 kg/m to 915 kg/m – a capability that typically requires two separate continuous casting lines at other steel plants. Additionally, the automation phase is now beginning, with the arrival of new extractors scheduled for September 2025,” the firm says. The new vacuum degasser will be commissioned by mid-2025.
The project also involves a new 150m² platform with a 100-tonne hot briquetted iron supply system. The HBI, used to make Rodange’s semi-finished products, is stored and distributed in a silo near the scrap yard. “This allows the creation of new metallurgical grades previously only achievable with blast furnaces.”
The modernisation will help to reach a certified low carbon footprint for steel of below 300kg per tonne, cutting CO2 by 200,000 t/year. The Belval site will obtain the XCarb label for rails produced from mill A.
The new Belval EAF costs about €67 million ($72.4m), including €15m from state subsidies.
ArcelorMittal Luxembourg produced 1.9 million tonnes of crude steel in 2023 and employs 3,368 workers. The new Belval EAF will increase ArcelorMittal Luxembourg production to 2.5m t/y of steel.
ArcelorMittal is investing in decarbonisation, product quality and increasing capacity at its Luxembourg long products facilities in Differdange and Belval.
Natalia Capra France
Wuppermann nears completion of new Austrian tube site
Wuppermann Metalltechnik GmbH (WMT) has celebrated the roofing ceremony for its new production hall in Altmünster, Austria, Kallanish hears from parent group Wuppermann AG.
With a total investment of around €39 million ($42m), the German processor is building a new plant for its specialist precision steel tube maker unit, WMT. The project was initially announced in mid-2023 and construction work started in April last year.
Two highly automated tube welding lines and fully automated primary material and finished goods warehouses will be installed in the new hall complex. The cranes and machinery for assembly are due to be delivered from mid-March.
With this investment, WMT says it will be able to produce complex profile shapes in future, significantly expanding both the range of dimensions and the strength spectrum of its products. During the ramp-up of the new profile line, the existing tube welding line will remain in operation, ensuring seamless supply to customers.
Christian Koehl Germany
Manuchar Steel joins as Member of EUROMETAL
EUROMETAL is delighted to welcome Manuchar Steel as a new Member company.
Headquartered in Antwerp, Belgium, Manuchar Steel is a global supplier of steel products and part of the Manuchar Group, a leading distributor of chemicals and raw materials in emerging markets.
With specialized procurement offices in key locations such as Turkey, India and China, Manuchar Steel maintains direct relationships with steel producers worldwide, enabling the sourcing and shipping over 1.2 million tons of steel annually.
The company’s product portfolio includes a wide range of steel products, including flat and long carbon steel, wire products, and specialty steels. These materials are used for various industries, such as automotive, home appliances, construction, and others.
By joining EUROMETAL, Manuchar Steel aims to contribute to the ongoing development of the steel industry and foster collaboration within the European market.
Discover more: manuchar.com
EUROMETAL: Semi-finished and finished products need to be included in protective measures for level playing field
The European Federation of Associations of Steel, Tube and Metal Distributors (EUROMETAL) has made some evaluations during the Strategic Dialogue on Steel hosted on March 4 by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, bringing together key industry leaders to address the future of the European steel industry.
EUROMETAL stated that fair competition is vital for the steel industry. Yet, given that 7.4 million people are employed in the industry, it is also significant to create a level playing field, which can be ensured by including import semi-finished and finished products that are flowing to the EU without any limitations in protective measures. Since Europe is located between the US and China, boosting its distribution, processing and manufacturing is even more crucial to promote innovation and to provide a basis for sustainable industrial activities, EUROMETAL said.
Additionally, the federation also reiterated its intention to actively participate in the working group of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, ensuring that regulations are realistic for EU declarants.
EU HRC prices rise; market awaits clarity on safeguard investigation
European hot-rolled coil prices strengthened March 5, as mill sources pointed to higher offers due to limited import opportunities and ongoing regulatory uncertainty.
Market participants focused on uncertainty surrounding trade flows due to the European Commission’s safeguard investigation, coupled with a recent spate of anti-dumping investigations in Asia. Import offers have been unattractive for European buyers, partly due to the reduced cost differential with domestic mill prices, as well as concerns about additional quota duties.
A North European mill source confirmed higher offer levels of Eur650 ex-works Ruhr but reported sluggish market conditions. In discussing recent announcements from the EC, the source expressed optimism about future industry activity. “The steel action plan was good, and it shows that the Commission is acting to have strong manufacturing in Europe,” he said. “The simplification of CBAM is also good news for the industry.”
German producer Salzgitter issued a force majeure on its coil deliveries following a fire at the firm’s hot strip mill. Market reactions to this development were mixed, with one source expecting marginal support to domestic prices but “nothing significant” due to poor demand.
An Italian seller also pointed to higher prices, reporting a target price of Eur640/mt to Eur650/mt ex-works Italy, but noted stagnant demand conditions in anticipation of the safeguard news. “It is very quiet on demand. Our customers are not selling a lot. Automotive is still weak, and people are waiting for the safeguard news to show,” he said. “There could still be many different scenarios, we will wait and see.”
Platts assessed HRC in Northwest Europe at Eur620/mt ex-works Ruhr on March 5, up Eur2.50/mt from the previous session. In Southern Europe, HRC was assessed at Eur615/mt ex-works Italy, up Eur10/mt day over day.
Platts assessed imported HRC in Northwest Europe as unchanged at Eur550/mt CIF Antwerp, while the imported HRC CIF Southern Europe price increased by Eur5/mt to Eur550/mt CIF.
Platts is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.
European CRC, HDG prices increase on limited availability
The upward trend was even stronger in the Northern European market due to force majeure circumstances, affecting production of German steelmaker Salzgitter’s hot-rolling mill, Fastmarkets understands.
A fire occurred at the hot-rolling mill at Salzgitter Flachstahl in southeast Lower Saxony, Germany on February 28, which limited deliveries and production for hot-rolled, cold-rolled and hot-dipped galvanized coil, Fastmarkets reported.
According to industry sources, this event could support the domestic flat steel prices up further in Germany.
Northern Europe
Mills in Northern Europe were heard offering mid-May/June delivery CRC at €730-750 ($769-790) per tonne ex-works, industry sources told Fastmarkets.
In comparison, lower offers were available in the market at €710-740 per tonne ex-works in the previous assessment week.
Fastmarkets’ sources estimated the tradeable market level for CRC during this assessment week at €720-740 per tonne ex-works, with some buyers saying that €700 per tonne ex-works could still be negotiated.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel cold-rolled coil domestic, exw Northern Europe was €700-740 per tonne on Wednesday, increasing by €10-30 per tonne from €690-710 per tonne on February 26.
Some small volume transactions with imported CRC from Taiwan and South Korea were heard at €670 per tonne CFR Antwerp, industry sources told Fastmarkets.
An upward trend was also observed with the domestic HDG prices in Northern Europe, Fastmarkets understands.
Offers of the material were heard at €740-750 per tonne ex-works, with buyers estimating the workable market level at €720-740 per tonne ex-works.
As a result, Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel hot-dipped galvanized coil domestic, exw Northern Europe was €720-740 per tonne on Wednesday, increasing by €5-10 per tonne from €710-735 per tonne on February 26.
Asia-origin imports of HDG to Northern Europe were considered unattractive due to the trade risks and the fast exhaustion of the current quotas, industry sources told Fastmarkets.
Italy
CRC and HDG prices in Italy were also increasing gradually during the assessment week to Wednesday March 5, industry sources told Fastmarkets.
The latest offers of domestic CRC heard available in the market were €710-740 per tonne ex-works, Fastmarkets understands.
However, buyers’ estimations for the tradeable market level were lower at €700-710 per tonne ex-works.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel cold-rolled coil domestic, exw Southern Europe was €700-710 per tonne on Wednesday, up by €10 per tonne from €690-700 per tonne on February 26.
Asian suppliers were heard offering CRC in the Italian market at €650-660 per tonne CFR.
Indian suppliers were heard selling some CRC volumes to Italy at €650 per tonne CFR, industry sources told Fastmarkets.
Regarding domestic HDG prices, local suppliers were heard offering the material at €730-740 per tonne ex-works.
Buyers’ estimations for the tradeable market level were at €720-730 per tonne ex-works.
Fastmarkets’ price assessment for steel hot-dipped galvanized coil domestic, exw Southern Europe was €720-730 per tonne on Wednesday, up by €20 per tonne from €700-710 per tonne on February 26.
