The European Committee for Wire Drawing (CET) is calling for the European Commission for help to curb surging galvanised wire imports, Kallanish learns.
The association warns that low-priced Chinese and Turkish suppliers have captured around 25% of the EU market since 2023, equivalent to roughly €200 million ($235.3m) in imports. This has left European producers with falling sales and idle production lines, creating what CET describes as an unsustainable situation.
CET says the import surge is severely damaging an industry that produces about 900,000 tonnes annually across at least 12 EU member states, generates roughly €750m in yearly sales and directly employs more than 4,000 people. It is seeking urgent measures to restore fair competition and safeguard a sector supplying essential materials to Europe’s construction, manufacturing and agricultural industries.
It represents manufacturers of steel wire and steel wire products across Europe, with members including associations and producers in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, the UK and Türkiye, covering the majority of European wire drawers.
Under EU trade defence procedures, the Commission may open an anti-dumping investigation if sufficient evidence shows imports are unfairly priced and cause material injury to EU producers. Such investigations typically last up to 14 months.
