The European market for thick-rolled products is in decline; imported material is offered at a CBAM premium
Thick-sheet steel prices in Europe remained mostly stable during the week to Thursday, September 4, with sources noting that trade continued to decline after the end of the summer downturn.
. It was also reported that the imported material was offered for delivery in January with an adjustment mechanism (CBAM) applied to the carbon limit. The interest in such offers and possible deals indicates that some importers are potentially willing to take on the risk of regulatory uncertainty regarding CBAM and related costs in order to maintain import volumes.
Italy
The prices of thick-rolled products in Italy have not changed compared to the pricing for the period, while sources note the lack of consumer appetite.
"Demand is still insufficient to raise prices. We're looking at a gradual market opening[after summer's end]," the producer said.
However, some market participants were bullish on their market valuations despite the muted trading.
Weekly price analysis
Fastmarkets for domestic steel plates, 8-40 mm, on EXW terms in southern Europe Euro 590-620 ($686-721) per ton on Thursday, unchanged for the week.
Northern Europe
Stove prices in the domestic market in Northern Europe increased slightly downward against the background of "very sluggish trade".
And there was some kind of buzz around the expected growth in trade by the end of the month.
"What we hear from our sources and customers all over Europe, and in particular Poland, Germany and Scandinavia, is that the wave purchase is expected within two to two and a half weeks," said the producer.
Offering levels from mills in Germany has been recorded in a wide range, from €620-710 per tonne, but a trader source noted that Mills offers at higher levels rarely reservations at such prices.
Several sources expressed bullish price forecasts, with one trader suggesting that domestic plate prices could rise in the coming months due to increased regulatory uncertainty and therefore greater risk to imported plate purchases, with new trade measures to replace guarantees and CBAM implementation in January 2026.
However, uncertainty surrounding the implementation of CBAM continues to linger in the market, with rumors swirling around a possible postponement — despite the lack of official confirmation of any changes before the implementation date of this mechanism.
Weekly price analysis
Fastmarkets for domestic steel plate, 8-40 mm, Northern Europe pickup Euro 620-670 per ton on Thursday, expanding down by €10 per ton to €630-670 per ton a week earlier.
Import
And heavy plates: import prices have remained unchanged since June due to the lack of