Italian heavy plate consumption is showing a modest improvement, as reports from two mill sources indicate an increase in order intake. Orders are still being executed for relatively small volumes and lead times remain short in February, Kallanish notes.
Import sales are limited amid elevated, uncompetitive pricing. Large buyers are expected to maintain their global purchasing strategies despite potential EU duties. By contrast, mid-sized buyers are showing reluctance to source material from the Far East due to the looming CBAM regulation and risk of retroactive duties. The EU is assessing the application of 15% quarterly safeguard quotas for each country of origin.
Despite the decrease in import transactions, European overcapacity and slow economic growth continue to be significant concerns. S275 grade transactions are occurring within the range of €630-640/tonne ($660-670) ex-works, or €650-655/t delivered, relatively stable week-on-week, while S355 is trading at a premium of €20/t above that. The current asking pricing from mills is set at €650-660/t ex-works for S275, while S355 is priced at €680/t.
Although the two mill sources indicate a gradual improvement in demand, a distributor reports that activity remains average. “Depending on the product, we are working at 30% to 40% less than we did last year across all of our long and flat products. The year 2024 was unremarkable; while we avoided losses, our earnings were also disappointing,” he comments. Margins declined last year and the performance in 2025 has been underwhelming so far, he adds.
Considering current processing costs and imported slab prices at $530-540/t cfr Italy, one mill has indicated it will continue to implement gradual price increases.
Natalia Capra France
