ArcelorMittal to restart Gijon BF B next week
Luxembourg-based steelmaker ArcelorMittal will restart blast furnace B at its Gijon site in Spain by the middle of next week.
The furnace has been off line since late last year. The company said in February that it had to cool the unit for maintenance after an unsuccessful attempt at stabilisation.
ArcelorMittal operates two blast furnaces in Gijon. Blast furnace A has continued to operate while repairs are carried out at blast furnace B. The two units have a combined capacity of 4.7mn t/yr, with each furnace able to produce 2.35mn t/yr.
ArcelorMittal confirmed it had restarted blast furnace 3 at its Dabrowa Gornicza plant in Poland earlier this week. The company plans to restart its idled blast furnace in Fos-sur-Mer, France, in June.
ArcelorMittal is bringing capacity back on line in response to trade regulations that could increase demand for EU steel.
Brazil’s slab exports to the EU increased in April after a slowdown in March, trade data released today show. Brazil exported 260,000t of slab to the bloc last month, with almost 80,000t sent to Spain, 70,000t to France and 40,000t to Poland. Brazil’s slab exports to the EU over January-April totalled 700,000t, up from no exports in the same period in 2025 and around 700,000t in the full year 2025. ArcelorMittal acquired Brazilian slab producer CSP in 2023.
Author: Lora Stoyanova
ArcelorMittal Spain shuts Avilés pickling line as part of €18 million upgrade
ArcelorMittal Spain has shut down the pickling line at its Avilés plant as part of an €18 million modernization program, according to media reports.
The stoppage comes amid broader operational challenges across the company’s Asturias facilities, including ongoing issues restarting blast furnace “B” in Gijón and planned maintenance work on sinter plant “A”.
The Avilés pickling line, which removes oxide scale from hot rolled steel using diluted hydrochloric acid, will remain offline for three weeks. The €18 million upgrade includes replacing the hydrochloric acid storage tanks that feed the process, which treats coils coming out of the hot strip mill.
Ongoing failure of blast furnace “B” causing serious disruption
This modernization forms part of a broader €168 million investment package announced earlier this year for ArcelorMittal’s facilities in Avilés, Gijón, Sagunto, Etxabarri and Lesaka. A significant share of the total investment is earmarked for the hybrid electric arc furnace project in Gijón, while the Avilés pickling line revamp represents a key component of ongoing downstream improvements.
The shutdown will have immediate downstream effects, as the pickling line supplies strip to the tandem mill, temper mill and tinplate lines in Avilés.
ArcelorMittal has been unable to restart blast furnace “B” in Gijón for two months, following a maintenance shutdown during which the unit suffered several fires. Three attempts to restart the furnace using the oxy-lance method, injecting oxygen and propane, have failed due to a large mass of solidified iron inside the vessel.
As a result, the plant is facing an acute shortage of hot metal. With only blast furnace “A” operational, production levels are insufficient to supply all rolling and steelmaking units.
Hot metal shortages force prioritization and interruptions
Due to limited hot metal availability, ArcelorMittal is prioritizing hot strip production for the automotive sector, to avoid penalties, and rail manufacturing, which currently has strong order volumes.
Other downstream facilities are experiencing intermittent stoppages. The company informed employees that the shutdown of the Gijón heavy plate mill would be extended due to a lack of slabs available for rolling.
The Gijón plate mill sources its slabs from the Avilés melt shop, which is currently running at 60 percent of capacity because of the shortage of hot metal. Most of its limited output is being directed to the Avilés hot strip mill.
ArcelorMittal Sestao picks Danieli for new green steel upgrades in Spain
Spanish steelmaker ArcelorMittal Sestao, part of ArcelorMittal’s European operations, has launched a new phase in its decarbonization and capacity expansion program at its Vizcaya plant in Spain.
The company has entrusted Italy-based plantmaker Danieli with the supply of a state-of-the-art fume-treatment plant and a vacuum degasser, reinforcing its strategy to achieve zero-carbon emissions while enhancing productivity and product range.
Investment in green steel infrastructure
The new facilities form a core element of ArcelorMittal Sestao’s investment roadmap, targeting zero-carbon emissions and greater competitiveness in the European flat steel market. Both units are expected to become operational in August 2026, according to Danieli.
Fume-treatment plant to increase capacity
The fume-treatment plant installed by Danieli will serve the existing EAF No. 1, enabling full utilization of the two electric arc furnaces (EAFs). This upgrade will increase the plant’s productivity up to 1.6 million metric tons per year.
Vacuum degasser for high-quality flat products
Alongside the FTP, a new vacuum degasser (VD) station will be installed, equipped with mechanical dry vacuum pumps. This system will allow the production of ultra-clean steel, with precise chemical control and minimal nitrogen and hydrogen levels.
This step broadens ArcelorMittal Sestao’s steel grade portfolio, particularly in advanced flat products, catering to demanding applications in automotive, infrastructure, and clean technologies.
Hydnum Steel launches AI spin-off ‘Sbayt’ in Puertollano
Hydnum Steel has announced the launch of its artificial intelligence company, Sbayt, which will be headquartered in Puertollano, Spain. The new tech-focused subsidiary aims to drive digital transformation in the steel industry, offering advanced AI and big data solutions for steelmaking operations.
The announcement was made by Hydnum Steel CEO Eva Maneiro during the presentation of the company’s Citizen Participation Plan results. With a score of 4.8 out of 5 from 150 local stakeholders, the plan highlighted the strong community backing for Hydnum’s clean steel project.
“This is a decisive step in our commitment to industrial transformation and to this region,” said Maneiro. “Sbayt will be the engine of the intelligent steel industry of the future — and it starts here in Puertollano.”
In addition to the launch of Sbayt, Hydnum Steel unveiled the Agustín Escobar Excellence Scholarship, designed to support students from Puertollano and neighbouring areas in sustainability studies.
The President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page, confirmed that the steel plant will be declared a Project of Singular Interest, accelerating its regulatory timeline. Other dignitaries present included regional ministers and the Mayor of Puertollano, all reaffirming support for the steel plant as a catalyst for regional development, employment, and industrial innovation.
Hydnum Steel is a 100% renewable-energy-powered steel facility and one of the most innovative decarbonisation projects in Europe. The company is backed by the Spanish Government’s PERTE programme and recognised by the World Economic Forum.
Puertollano (Spain) to Host Sbayt, Hydnum Steel Group’s AI Company
Spain’s steel production declined in June
According to data compiled by SteelRadar from the Spanish Steel Producers Association (UNESID), the country’s crude steel output fell by 6.8% month-on-month in June 2025 to 1.06 million mt. On a yearly basis, production remained unchanged.
In the January–June period, Spain’s total steel production rose by 6.8% compared to 6.19 million mt in the same period of 2024, reaching 6.61 million mt.
In June, the Spanish steel industry also experienced a decline in scrap recycling. During the month, 844,000 mt of scrap was used as raw material in the production of new steel products, marking a 9.2% drop from the previous month and a 1.4% decrease year-on-year.
In the first half of the year, the sector’s total scrap recycling amounted to 5.27 million mt.
Unesid: Workweek reduction would undermine Spanish steel sector
Spain’s steel industry warns that a proposed cut to the national workweek could severely undermine production, raise costs and threaten thousands of jobs, Kallanish notes.
The proposed legislation would shorten the working week from 40 to 37.5 hours. Such a change could have “devastating and irreversible” consequences for the steel industry, according to the steelmakers’ association Unesid. If passed, the law would increase labour costs and reduce operational flexibility, especially in energy-intensive sectors such as steelmaking. It could put thousands of high-quality jobs at risk and force production cuts and shift reductions, according to Unesid’s director of organisation and human resources, Gema Palazón.
She notes that in the current context of economic uncertainty and industrial weakness in Europe, which has prompted the EU to rethink its production model, the measure threatens to further undermine the Spanish steel industry. The sector is already under pressure from international competition and the costly demands of decarbonisation and industrial transformation.
“If this law is approved, the consequences could be devastating and irreversible for the steel industry, putting thousands of stable, high-quality jobs at risk,” Palazón comments.
Some supporters argue that large companies will remain unaffected. However, the Unesid executive stresses that reduced working hours will directly impact the operational flexibility of steel plants.
“Cutting working hours will inevitably lead to adjustments in production activity and employment. If production must align with the shorter workweek, we will see reduced output, fewer shifts, and plant shutdowns,” Palazón explains.
This would result in a lower domestic supply of essential products like steel, whose production continues to decline despite a 6.5% increase in consumption last year. To meet demand, Spain would have to increase imports, negatively affecting GDP and the national economy.
“This could mean the end of the steel industry in Spain,” Palazón concludes.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
Hydnum Steel secures €60 Million for Spain’s first Green Steel plant
Hydnum Steel has been awarded €60 million in funding by the Spanish Government under the PERTE for Industrial Decarbonisation, part of the EU’s Next Generation EU programme. The funding will support the construction of southern Europe’s first green steel plant, located in Puertollano, Spain.
This pioneering project aligns with the EU’s goals of reindustrialisation, strategic autonomy, and climate neutrality, and represents a major step forward for sustainable flat steel production in Europe.
Hydnum Steel has already secured 75% of its initial production through strategic agreements with key industrial players, including Gonvarri Industries, Thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, and Knauf Interfer.
The initiative also pays tribute to Agustín Escobar, one of the visionaries behind the project, whose legacy continues to inspire the plant’s mission.
The project has been declared a Priority Project by the Government of Castilla-La Mancha and recognised by the World Economic Forum as one of the five leading global projects in industrial decarbonisation.
For more information: hydnumsteel.com
Spanish galvanised steel sector calls for EU ‘reindustrialisation’
The Spanish galvanised steel sector is calling on the EU to implement measures to guarantee reindustrialisation, ensuring energy transition progress as well as manufacturing independence amid a complex geopolitical landscape.
“The EU must reindustrialise, and in this process, galvanised steel is key, not only for continuing the energy transition but also for strengthening other sectors such as construction, transport, and automotive,” Spanish Technical Galvanisation Association (ATEG) president Manuel López Caamaño said during the organisation’s 60th annual conference.
“Our sector offers a profitable, durable, and sustainable solution with a lower carbon footprint than other industries. Galvanised steel can drive Europe’s growth by ensuring its independence from external markets in an increasingly uncertain international context,” he observed.
Spanish galvanised steel production totalled 548,000 tonnes in 2024, up 1% on 2023, Kallanish understands. Of this total, 39% was directed towards the energy sector, a decline of approximately 4% year-on-year, primarily due to geopolitical instability and weaker revenue prospects from renewable energy projects in Spain. The construction sector, including building works, infrastructure, pipelines, and bridges, accounted for up to 25% of galvanised steel demand.
Spain remains the fourth-largest country in the eurozone in terms of production capacity. The galvanizing sector currently operates 39 plants, generating a turnover of around €200 million ($217.4m) and supporting more than 3,000 direct jobs.
“There is still a long way to go. While in the US, 18% of steel is galvanised, in Spain, it does not even reach 5%, which highlights the vast potential of the sector,” López Caamaño concluded.
Iberian coil market doubts hikes amid weak demand
The Spanish and Portuguese hot rolled coil market is holding steady despite weak domestic demand and global trade uncertainties tied to US tariffs.
While large mills remain cautious, assessing how international trade policies will play out, local availability of HRC suggests that price increases might be more speculation than reality, at least for now, according to Kallanish sources.
“The reality is that here in Spain, HRC is available. Speculation about a potential price increase for April is more of a market rumour. What is clear is the persistent weakness in domestic demand, meaning customers will struggle to absorb higher prices,” one trader explains.
Another market participant confirms that local producers are not actively exporting and have not significantly increased their offers in recent weeks. He suggests that while prices are likely to remain steady in the short term, an increase could materialise towards the end of March.
“Service centres initially expected international prices to rise quickly due to the US tariffs, but this has not yet happened,” he notes. “Import activity has been quiet in recent weeks, as the European market awaits the announcement of European Commission safeguard measures. As a result, local mills are holding back on price increases for new orders.”
Spanish mills are currently quoting S235JR grade HRC at around €670-680/t ($728-738) delivered.
Todor Kirkov Bulgaria
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