Steel Industry News

The European Union has proposed reducing the tariff-free steel import quota by 47% to 18.3 million tons annually and doubling tariffs to 50% on imports exceeding this limit. These changes are intended to address global steel overcapacity and unfair competition, aiming to protect jobs and support the EU steel sector’s decarbonization efforts. The new measures are expected to replace the current safeguard system by mid-2026, pending approval by EU institutions.

The UK steel industry, which exports about 78% of its steel to the EU market, is expected to be significantly impacted by these changes. Industry representatives have raised concerns about the potential economic consequences for British steel producers and jobs. The UK government is seeking clarification from the European Commission and has indicated it will engage in talks to mitigate the impact on the sector. The EU has also noted exemptions for countries within the European Economic Area and candidate countries facing exceptional circumstances.

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9/29/25 The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has provided new details on the recent explosion at the U.S. Steel Clairton coke plant, which took place in August during a maintenance operation in the Battery 13/14 transfer area. Investigators report that the incident occurred as workers—including staff from U.S. Steel and MPW Industrial Services—were handling an aged, 18-inch double-disc cast iron valve, attempting to close and reopen it before flushing the valve seat with water. Gas monitors began to alarm, prompting a swift evacuation, but an explosion erupted less than a minute later, tragically killing two U.S. Steel employees and seriously injuring five more, with additional workers treated for less severe injuries.

The valve involved, originally manufactured in 1953 and refurbished in 2013, was found to have split along a fully circumferential crack, with other nearby valves also showing signs of damage. The blast inflicted substantial structural harm on the transfer area and triggered demanding search and rescue operations. The CSB continues its investigation and will publish a detailed final report once further evidence collection and analysis have concluded.

Source: https://www.csb.gov/us-chemical-safety-board-releases-update-on-its-investigation-of-fatal-explosion-at-us-steel-clairton-coke-works/

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The Nuclear Company has formed a strategic partnership with Nucor Corporation, North America’s leading steelmaker, aiming to enhance the U.S. nuclear power supply chain and strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities. The collaboration will focus on evaluating steel materials and manufacturing processes that meet stringent American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ NQA-1 certification standards required for gigawatt-scale nuclear reactors. This alliance supports the executive orders by President Donald Trump targeting 400 gigawatts of nuclear power capacity by 2050, including the construction of ten large reactors within the next five years.

This partnership addresses the surge in U.S. energy demands driven by artificial intelligence, data centers, and electric vehicles, marking the first growth in power needs in two decades. It also aims to restore the competitiveness of the U.S. nuclear industry against rapid expansions by China and Russia in nuclear reactor construction. Leaders from both companies emphasize the importance of reshoring manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign suppliers to ensure national energy security, economic resilience, and leadership in powering critical technologies like AI.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) announced that imports of corrosion-resistant steel (CORE) from China, India, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey have been unfairly dumped into the U.S. market, causing material injury to domestic producers. The determination means that U.S. steel manufacturers faced harm due to these underpriced imports, which undermined fair competition. This decision could lead to the imposition of antidumping duties on the affected imports, aiming to restore balance and protect the domestic steel industry.

U.S. Steel has announced substantial increases to its Galvalume coating extras, effective November 2, 2025. These new extras represent a 30–49% hike across all Galvalume products compared to prior rates, with the average increase around 36%. This adjustment is being attributed to sharply rising aluminum prices, which have recently reached a three-year high, pushing up manufacturing costs for aluminum/zinc-coated Galvalume sheet. The recently posted price book from U.S. Steel, dated October 1, 2023, does not yet include the new extras, but the updated rates will be reflected from November onward

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Summary:
In August 2025, the Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) soared by 7.5% to reach 301.0, marking a significant new high as both commercial and institutional project planning showed strong gains. Commercial planning rose 8.7%, largely fueled by an uptick in data centers, warehouses, and hotels, while institutional planning advanced 5.4%, driven by major projects in judicial, medical, and correctional facilities. Compared to August 2024, the overall index climbed 51%, with commercial and institutional segments up 38% and 84% respectively, indicating continued resilience in nonresidential construction despite ongoing economic uncertainty and rising costs.