Domestic demand for steel in the country remains subdued The Japanese steelmaker Tokyo Steel is raising prices for its steel products for April sales due to rising raw material costs, according to BigMint. Prices for hot-rolled coils (1.7–22 mm) are rising by 7,000 yen per ton ($44/t) compared to the previous month, and prices for rebar and sections are rising by 5,000 yen/t ($31/t) compared to the previous month. Thus, following the revision, Tokyo Steel’s prices stand at $584/t for HRC (1.7–22 mm) and $546/t for rebar (D13–25). Domestic demand in Japan remains cautious amid uncertainty regarding future construction activity in some regions, and delays in the transition to higher price levels are slowing market activity. However, steel producers are increasing their rolling supply schedules. At the same time, scattered inventories in the ...

Production of long products rose by 12.5% m/m, while production of flat products fell by 4.8% m/m Italian steelmakers increased steel production by 8.1% in February 2026 compared to the previous month, reaching 1.86 million tons. Compared to the same month in 2025, the figure rose by 2.6%. This is according to data from the industry association Federacciai, as reported by SteelOrbis. Flat steel production in February amounted to 737,000 tons, down 7.4% y/y and 4.8% m/m, while long steel production reached 1.1 million tons (+5% y/y; +12.5%  m/m). In January-February, Italian steelmakers produced 3.6 million tons of steel, exceeding the 2025 figure by 2.1%. In the flat-rolled segment, 1.5 million tons were produced (-4.4% y/y), and in the long-rolled segment, 2.1 million tons (+8.6% y/y). As reported by GMK Center, Italy increased steel production b...

The company cites rising raw material costs Metallurgical company Tata Steel UK has raised prices for hot-rolled coil (HRC) by £125/t to £620/t per tonne and for hot-dip galvanized coil by £140-150/t in the second quarter. This was reported by Argus Media, citing sources. According to the agency, some service centers have received such offers for hot-rolled coil, which is higher than the previous level, which was closer to £540-550/t (ddp West Midlands). According to some buyers, Tata is implementing a phased price increase, adding another £40/t in May and June. Other customers have not received HRC allocations for April 2026 and phased pricing in the following months. The company cites rising raw material costs, particularly for slabs and zinc, as well as the price discrepancy between the UK and Europe. Slabs, Argus notes,...

Energy consumption in the industry decreased by 4.3% y/y during the month In January 2026, Chinese steel enterprises that are members of the CISA industry association reduced their total waste gas emissions by 1.11% compared to January 2025. This is evidenced by data from the association. Despite the overall decline, emissions of major pollutants in gases also decreased: sulfur dioxide by 16.5%, particulate matter by 7.86%, and nitrogen oxides by 16.93% y/y. Energy consumption by participating companies in January decreased by 4.28% y/y. Total energy consumption per ton of steel increased by 0.94% y/y, and comparable consumption increased by 0.91% y/y. Electricity consumption per ton of steel increased by 5.11% y/y. Electricity consumption increased by 2.89% y/y. Own electricity production increased by 5.79% y/y, and its share in the total balance increased by 1.65 p.p. ...

The forum will address a wide range of issues related to dynamics and challenges in the steel and raw materials markets The 22nd Steel Development Strategy Conference, organized by SteelHome, will be held in Shanghai, China, from April 16 to 17, 2026. The conference will focus on a wide range of key issues related to the dynamics and challenges in the steel, iron ore, coal, and coke markets. The event will serve as a platform for in-depth discussion of new trends, market factors, technological progress, sustainability initiatives, and other topics. It is expected to bring together around 1,000 participants, including representatives of government agencies, industry associations, more than 150 steel plants, mining companies, traders, leading research institutes, influential media outlets, and delegates from more than 30 countries around the world. The conference provides an...

EUROFER warns that expensive electricity is slowing down investment and decarbonization and threatening steel production The European Steel Association EUROFER supported a joint appeal from the industry, adopted in Antwerp on the eve of the EU leaders’ meeting on February 12. The industry is demanding urgent measures to reduce the cost of electricity, which determines the competitiveness of European industry and economic stability. The association stressed that consistently high and volatile electricity prices, further increased by taxes and carbon costs, have become one of the main obstacles to investment, electrification, and decarbonization of the steel industry. According to industry estimates, returning tariffs to a level close to the pre-crisis 2021 level – approximately €44/MWh – is critical to preserving production chai...