The summer in the Italian scrap market ended without major shocks, although the trend reflected the fragility of the sector. In July, the market saw a further decline of 5-10 euros/ton, which is not always acceptable to all players: in some cases, operators preferred to curtail activity or postpone summer shutdowns. Upon returning from the holidays, August quotes remained stable, which also marked the first days of September, as attempts by some sellers to push prices higher did not find a response from steelmakers.
In Italy, the availability of scrap metal remains limited, which is affected by a decline in industrial production in a weak economic environment. Nevertheless, factories have resumed operations with already well-stocked warehouses, while the use of semi-finished products from China and the Middle East - billets and slabs - is supported by a favorable dollar exchange rate. Against this background, the forecast for September remains uncertain: only by the middle of the month will the market be able to show a clearer trend.
The international scenario shows a slight brightness. Turkey recorded overall price stability, with limited volumes and rapid absorption of the short-term positive peak at the end of July. Asian markets reflected this pattern, with slightly sharper fluctuations. In Europe, Germany experienced a still positive July in terms of demand, albeit accompanied by a slight decline in prices, while activity dropped sharply in August with further declines. Prices in France
