EU sheet metal shipments down 3% in 2018

The Eurometal Federation reported this week that European distributors of flat steel products in 2018 reduced their shipments to consumers by 3.1%.

“Shipments declined mainly in the second half of 2018 due to growing uncertainty about the European auto industry and related supplier sectors,” said the regional federation for the distribution and trade of steel, pipes and metals.

The automotive sector is one of the main end-consumers of flat products in Europe, so the decline in demand for cars is putting pressure on the coiled steel market.