Steel sheet manufacturers in the EU are seeking to raise prices due to the growing CBAM pressure, but the market remains calm
Steel sheet manufacturers in Europe have tried to raise prices amid the impending introduction of the EU Carbon Boundary Regulation Mechanism (CBAM) in January 2026. But the new higher levels did not become widespread during the week until Thursday, December 18, when transaction prices remained mostly stable.
It was expected that the introduction of CBAM would significantly affect prices in the region for imported slabs, which are widely used as raw materials for local rolling machines, as well as imported thick-rolled products.
The final document published by the European Commission last week showed higher default emission values compared to previous versions, especially for key suppliers such as China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Russia.
The default values are the emission values that importers are required to use according to CBAM when actual emission data is not provided or cannot be verified.
Based on the final default CBAM values for 2026 calculated by Fastmarkets, the estimated cost of importing slabs using default emission factors is approximately 144 euros (169 US dollars) per tonne for China, about 149 euros per tonne for Russia, about 230 euros per tonne for India and 541 euros per tonne for China. for Indonesia.
Meanwhile, default prices in Brazil were calculated at a comparatively lower 22 euros per ton, which makes the country an attractive option for the near future.
In such conditions, European manufacturers of stoves have increased their offers on the domestic market.
As Fastmarkets became aware on December 18, the main Italian processors were targeting 700-720 euros per ton from the factory. But recently, sales have been reported in the range of 650-680 euros per ton from the factory.
Fastmarkets' weekly price estimate for domestic 8-40 mm thick rolled steel exported to Southern Europe was changed downward to 650-680 euros per ton on December 18 from 660-680 euros per ton on December 11.
However, after the assessment was submitted, it was reported that some customers had already agreed to a price of 700 euros per ton at the factory.
In Northern Europe, the price range was also wide, depending on the supplier's policy. Sales at the plants ranged from 650-700 euros per ton, with some plants targeting even higher prices.
Fastmarkets' weekly price estimate for domestic 8-40 mm thick rolled steel exported to Northern Europe as of December 18 was 650-730 euros per ton, down slightly from 660-730 euros per ton a week earlier.
Activity in the market of imported rolled products was minimal, as buyers