Price increases in Italy have failed amid a sluggish recovery after the holidays
The prices of rolled steel products in Italy remain stable compared to August, and demand is still low after the summer lull.
While some manufacturers are considering price increases to restore profitability, the market is considered too calm to withstand price increases due to the prevailing uncertainty. Kallanish notes that September has so far brought a disappointing recovery after the holidays in the markets of raw materials, flat rolled products and long products: prices for scrap and some types of long products have decreased.
Two sources from the manufacturers report that the current delivery time is about three weeks. Some benefits can be expected from a reduction in imports under the EU protective regime, given that previously imports of rolled products to Europe amounted to approximately 2 million tons per year. The same source doubts that traders or manufacturers from third countries will be able to cover the costs of CBAM.
Although the market is far from reviving, another manufacturer claims that 2025 should still be acceptable for plate sales. "We will achieve a slight positive result, and in 2026, EU buyers will buy more in Europe, given the import problems," he comments.
Since October, sellers have been expecting increased interest from buyers in deliveries at the end of the year and the beginning of 2026. However, demand remains low at the moment, and one service center is reporting a slow depletion of inventory.
Prices for the S275 plate are still 590-600 euros per ton (696-708 dollars), while the S355 is sold at about 620 euros per ton. As for mining, the import of slabs from Italy is estimated at $480-500 per ton, depending on the volume. Currently, manufacturers are offering 620-630 euros per ton for the supply of S275 and about 650 euros per ton for the supply of S355.
Natalia Capra France
Kallanish.com