The SteelOrbis Market Negotiation Meeting, held at Elite World Grand Sapanca on September 8, 2026, brought together more than 650 industry participants, with Yildiz Demir Celik as the main sponsor, and Sechkin Metal, Yatyr Finansman, Agir Haddecilik, Galva Metal, and Yametash as other sponsors. The meeting discussed the changing dynamics of global steel trade, new EU protective measures, energy and logistics costs, and the demand for flat rolled products in Europe. Turkey, financial difficulties and expectations for the second half of the year 2026.
Excess capacity is the main problem facing the global steel industry
Selcuk Yilmaz, CEO of Yıldız Demir Celik, stated that the main problem facing the global steel industry is not fluctuations in demand, but the rapid growth of production capacity, noting that by 2030, global excess capacity is expected to reach 750 million tons. Yilmaz said India stands out by investing in new production facilities, while China is increasing price and competitive pressure in international markets by directing its surplus production to exports, drawing attention to the fact that China's steel exports reached 75 million tons in the first eight months of 2026. He said that growing production capacity and export volumes are encouraging countries to take tougher protectionist measures, adding that the EU's overall reduction of steel import quotas by about 47% and its decision to raise the duty above the quota from 25% to 50% significantly narrowed the room for Turkish exporters to maneuver. Based on the data currently available, the reduction in quotas allocated to Turkey is estimated at about 36 percent. Yildiz CEO Demir Celik also noted that the tightening of quotas in the UK market has limited the export opportunities of Turkish manufacturers, stressing that Turkey must protect its domestic market from low-price imports that do not meet standards, while removing trade barriers in foreign markets. Yilmaz said trade policy is no longer limited to quotas and anti-dumping duties, noting that the "melt and pour" rule and carbon costs are changing the entire value chain, from procurement decisions to supplier choice. He added that the fact that the same hot-rolled roll sells for about $500 per ton in China, $600 per ton in Turkey, $850 per ton in the EU and $1,300 per ton in the United States clearly illustrates the fragmentation of the global price structure caused by protectionist measures. According to Yilmaz, the fact that exports to the United States remain possible despite the 50% tariff under Section 232 indicates that high trade barriers also create high prices. sales markets.
About a third of the flat rolled products production capacity in Turkey is idle
Vedat Akar, Sales Director of Yıldız Demir Çelik, stated that although the production and consumption of flat rolled products in Turkey increased year-on-year in the first seven months of 2026, the market situation was not so favorable. Acar reported that the capacity utilization rate in the Turkish sheet metal production sector has mostly remained in the range of 60-65 percent in recent years and was approximately 66 percent in the first seven months of 2026, which means that approximately one in three machines in this sector was idle. He noted that weak domestic demand, import pressure and protectionist measures in export markets have increased price competition, adding that the sector should focus on value-added coated products, import substitution, high-strength lightweight steels and solar energy products. energy industry to achieve economic growth.
Reliability of supply is just as important as the price in the domestic market
Murat Urun, Ram CEO and Vice President of TURKTRADE, stated that Turkish steel producers have significant competitive advantages in terms of prices and product quality, but it is necessary to improve reliability and predictability of supplies. Pointing out that a cheap product loses its benefits if it is not according to Arun, delays in deliveries lead to increased inventory, working capital, and financial costs for customers. He stated that domestic manufacturers should offer lower minimum order volumes, timely delivery, regular product updates and closer communication with customers, stressing that competition should be based not only on product prices, but also on a service-oriented approach that covers the entire value chain, from order placement to after-sales support..
Protectionism redirects trade rather than stops it
Hakan Bozoglu, export manager at Yıldız Demir Çelik, said that protectionist measures do not lead to the cessation of global steel trade, but simply redirect trade flows, adding that manufacturers need to properly position themselves in the face of this shift. Boz oglu said that Europe's share in the total volume of Turkish exports of steel products subject to quotas has increased overall. Over the past six years, this figure has been about 30%. Given weak demand and low capacity utilization, he noted that withdrawing from export markets was not an optimal option and that manufacturers should instead expand their customer and market portfolios. Export manager Yildiz Demir Celik said that the trade measures imposed by various countries against China and South Korea will redirect tonnages from these countries to alternative markets, increasing competition for Turkish producers in export markets. He added that Turkey should make better use of its logistical advantages in nearby markets. Bozoglu named ensuring the traceability of the value chain, including information about the country where steel was produced in procurement decisions, as well as optimizing logistics processes as key priorities for compliance with trade legislation. He said that the most significant risk associated with the next 12 months will be accompanied by a deterioration in the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and long delays at ports, while the most tangible opportunity may be the reconstruction process in Syria, which may gain momentum as sanctions gradually ease.
The country where they melt and bottle becomes crucial for export
Bulent Hajioglu, managing partner of Trade Resources, said that exporters are needed in accordance with the new EU import legislation. the declaration regime of the country in which the steel product was first converted to a solid state. Noting that this information can later be used in setting quotas, anti-dumping and countervailing duties, Hajioglu stressed that for cold-rolled or galvanized steel produced in Turkey using imported hot-rolled coils, it is necessary to fully monitor the origin of raw materials and the entire production chain. Hajioglu stated that practices aimed at preventing the practice of circumventing trade measures are becoming more common in both the US and the EU, and this leads to the fact that the country in which the product undergoes final processing may no longer be considered sufficient in itself and that the origin of the raw materials used can be crucial.
Carbon emissions management is currently part of the financing and procurement processes
Figen Tabak Balbal, Manager of Occupational Safety and Sustainable Development at Yildiz Demir Celik, stated that verified factual emissions data can provide manufacturers with a significant cost advantage over with default EU values. Balbal said that Yildiz Demir Celik had conducted a preliminary study to verify his direct and indirect emission data for 2025, adding that the company had begun to consider verifiable emission data along with quality and price in the supplier selection process. Describing the creation of a legal framework for the Turkish emissions trading system as a positive step, Balbal stated that Turkey should also quickly implement its own carbon boundary regulation mechanism to protect domestic producers. She summarized the industry's priorities, saying, "Those who can't manage their data can't manage their market."
When checking emissions, timeliness is crucial
Ladin Chamchi, Director of Technology and Sustainable Development and member of the board of CARES, said that the overlap between the new EU safeguards and the carbon boundary regulation mechanism would create a serious cost burden for exporters. Chamci said that Turkish producers should not consider carbon accounting as simply a matter of compliance or reporting, stressing the importance of integrating verified data into commercial strategies, contracts and market selection processes. She noted that in Turkey, a high share of production based on electric arc furnaces can provide a significant competitive advantage with proper documentation. Chamchi stressed that companies should complete the creation of data infrastructure and verification processes in the short term and develop a comprehensive long-term strategy covering investments in energy efficiency, clean energy use and decarbonization.
After the panel sessions, the meeting concluded with presentations by Dr. Barysh Esen, Director of Corporate Communications at Yatırım Finansman, who spoke about the impact of recent geopolitical events on the Turkish industrial sector, and Professor Hakan Kara, Professor of Central Banking and Financial Markets at the Faculty of Economics at Bilkent University, assessed the current state and prospects of the Turkish economy.
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