On the last day of the SteelOrbis 2026 Spring Conference and the 94th IREPAS Meeting, held in Amsterdam on April 26-28, Alexander Gordienko, Export Director of the Spanish CELSA Group and chairman of the manufacturers' committee, stated, sharing the conclusions of the manufacturers' committee, that the global steel industry is facing increasing pressure from rising costs, weak economic growth and regulatory complexity He noted that uncertainty remains high, especially due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Mr. Gordienko noted that the prices of raw materials have increased significantly, and the ability to pass these costs on to consumers remains limited. As a result, the profitability of the entire industry is under constant pressure, and the prices of finished steel do not fully reflect the higher production costs.
Weak growth restrains demand
YoY. Gordienko noted that economic growth in many regions remains sluggish, which limits the potential for a significant recovery in steel demand. He warned that the current conditions reflect a delicate balance: demand remains, but there is no strong momentum. He described energy markets as extremely unstable, mainly due to tensions in the Middle East, adding that there was no clear timeline for a settlement and that a prolonged conflict could significantly worsen market conditions.
Trade restrictions and CBAM are changing markets
The chairman of the Producers' committee said that trade policy remains a key topic, and the EU Carbon Border Regulation Mechanism (CBAM) is at the center of discussions. CBAM is seen as a mechanism that will gradually equalize carbon costs globally, encouraging countries such as Turkey, China, and India to develop their own carbon pricing systems.
He said that while CBAM is not expected to lead to immediate price changes, manufacturers expect a disruption in the medium term. Factories with verified emission data are expected to gain a competitive advantage by 2027, as buyers increasingly prefer suppliers capable of providing reliable carbon emissions data. Currently, only a limited number of suppliers, especially in Japan and South Korea, are fully prepared for these requirements.
Meanwhile, another restrictive factor, he noted, is that the UK is expected to introduce a new quota system, stricter than the EU framework.
Disruptions in logistics are intensifying
Mr. Gordienko noted that logistical problems
