EC considers investigation into Turkey, Russia HDG imports: sources

The European Commission is believed to prepare an investigation into hot-dipped galvanized coil imports with Turkish and Russian origin, sources told S&P Global Platts June 11.

An Italian supplier told Platts they received a notification letter from the EC on the matter on June 11.

Market chatter on a possible investigation of HDG imports on Turkey that could lead to anti-dumping duties have been circulating since February, with sourcing saying June 11 that producers had received the EC’s letter.

The EC did not immediately respond to a query for comment

Sources told Platts they were surprised Russia would be a target in the investigation with only one mill there, Severstal, believed to be exporting to Europe regularly. That company did not respond to Platts’ request for comment.

Austrian steelmaker Voestalpine, meanwhile, said it could not comment on the matter before June 14, while another mill source said they could not say anything before the EC made an investigation public.

The Platts weekly assessment for hot-dipped galvanized stood June 9 at Eur1,305/mt EXW Ruhr, up Eur5/mt on the week. European suppliers have been heard booked into late Q4 this year, early Q1 next year with limited material available to buy from European suppliers.

Turkish response

The Turkish Steel Producers’ Association told Platts they have not received any information on an investigation. “We have focused on EU Commission decision on extension of the steel safeguards,” Veysel Yayan, general secretary of the group. “We heard the Commission will announce their decision next week.”

An export manager of Turkish coated coil producer told Platts: “We have also heard these rumors. They will probably start an investigation against HDG imports from Turkey, following the extension of the safeguards.”

According to trade data published by European steel federation Eurofer, 315,378 mt of Turkish origin and 114,559 mt of Russian origin hot-dipped coils have been imported into the EU the first three months of 2021 out of a total of 1.17 million mt hot-dipped imports in the period.

Spain and Italy were the main buyers of Turkish material in that time period, with Belgium and Latvia were the main takers of Russian material this year so far.

Eurofer declined June 11 to comment on the possible investigation.

— Laura Varriale, Cenk Can, Diana Kinch