Find the detail. Discover the connection.
Search across steel intelligence, Knowledge, market observations and regulations.
304, 304L, 316 and 316L: designation systems and procurement basics
A practical map of the common 304/304L/316/316L stainless designations, what the L means, and what buyers should specify beyond the grade shorthand.
Knowledge1.4571 (316Ti) vs 316L
Why titanium-stabilized 1.4571/316Ti and low-carbon 316L solve a similar sensitization problem by different metallurgical routes, and why they are not automatic substitutes.
KnowledgeAnsteel / Angang Group: group ownership, Angang Steel, Benxi and Pangang
Why Ansteel, Angang Steel, Benxi Steel and Pangang are not interchangeable mill names.
KnowledgeAPI 2H / 2W vs EN 10225
A procurement-focused comparison of the API offshore plate specifications and the EN 10225 offshore structural-steel framework.
KnowledgeAPI 5L Annex E vs Annex K: ultrasonic inspection and the wider NDT framework
Why Annex E and Annex K are not interchangeable UT options: Annex E is the base API 5L NDT framework, while Annex K adds or modifies NDT for sour, offshore and strain-capacity service.
KnowledgeAPI 5L Annex J for offshore service
What API 5L Annex J adds for PSL2 pipe ordered for offshore service, how it interacts with Annex K NDT, and what Annex J does not automatically certify.
KnowledgeAPI 5L grade suffixes: X52N, X52Q, X65Q and delivery condition
How API 5L PSL2 grade suffixes identify delivery condition, including the practical distinction between Q&T seamless routes and thermomechanically rolled mother plate/strip used for welded M-grade pipe.
KnowledgeAPI 5L offshore-service pipe requirements
A buyer-focused checklist for ordering API 5L line pipe for offshore service without assuming that base PSL2 automatically covers every offshore requirement.
KnowledgeAPI 5L PSL1 vs PSL2
A practical comparison of API 5L Product Specification Levels 1 and 2, including chemistry, mechanical properties, toughness, NDT, traceability and a correction to a common hydrotest misconception.
KnowledgeAPI 5L SR5, SR6 and SR8: why the edition matters
A guide to legacy API 5L supplementary-requirement numbers and why SR5, SR6 and especially SR8 should never be interpreted without knowing the API 5L edition.
KnowledgeAPI 5L vs EN 10225 for offshore structural tubulars
A procurement-focused comparison of API 5L line pipe and EN 10225 offshore structural tubulars, including scope, manufacturing route, dual certification and dimensional checks.
KnowledgeAPI 5L X52 vs EN ISO 3183 L360
Why X52 and L360 are corresponding line-pipe strength designations, but should not be treated as a complete material equivalence without checking PSL, edition, delivery condition and supplementary requirements.
KnowledgeASTM A333 Grade 6: low-temperature seamless and welded pipe basics
A procurement-focused introduction to ASTM A333/A333M Grade 6 low-temperature carbon-steel pipe, including seamless/welded scope, notch toughness and common equivalence mistakes.
KnowledgeBaosteel / Baoshan Iron & Steel: group relationship, production bases, products and approvals
A buyer-focused profile of Baosteel, distinguishing the operating producer from China Baowu and summarizing products, pipe capability and certifications.
KnowledgeBaotou Steel / Baogang: steel group, listed producer and rare-earth distinction
How Baotou Steel relates to its listed steel producer and why rare-earth businesses are separate.
KnowledgeHow to read beam dimensions: h, b, tw, tf and root radius
A visual-reading guide to the core dimensions of I and H sections: overall depth, flange width, web thickness, flange thickness and root radius.
KnowledgeBenxi Iron & Steel / Bengang: historical name and Ansteel group relationship
A guide to Bengang, its 2021 restructuring and why it is not the same mill as Angang.
KnowledgeCarbon Equivalent (CEV): Formula, Interpretation and Limitations
What CEV is, how the common IIW formula is calculated, what it says about weldability and why it should not be used as a universal pass/fail number.
KnowledgeCE marking, EN 1090 and EN 10204 certificates are not the same thing
A practical separation of EU construction-product conformity, EN 1090 structural-component conformity assessment and EN 10204 material inspection documents.
KnowledgeCEV vs Pcm: Which Carbon-Equivalent Formula Applies?
Why CEV and Pcm are different weldability indices, how their formulas differ and why the governing standard — not personal preference — decides which one to use.
KnowledgeCharpy V-notch testing: the essentials
A practical guide to Charpy V-notch testing: absorbed energy, test temperature, orientation, specimen size, test frequency and why one favourable result cannot be extrapolated to another temperature.
KnowledgeChina Baowu Steel Group: how the group relates to Baosteel, Magang, TISCO and other mills
A group-level map of China Baowu and its major operating steel companies, with emphasis on why parent-group ownership does not make all mills interchangeable.
KnowledgeChinese Steel Mills by Product: plate, profiles, seamless pipe and special steel
Find the relevant producer profiles by steel product and approval needs.
KnowledgeChinese Steel Ownership Map: groups, operating mills and trading companies
Understand parent groups, works and the historical company-name traps.
KnowledgeCITIC Pacific Special Steel Group: ownership, special-steel mills and the TPCO connection
A practical map of the CITIC special-steel platform, its major works, and its distinction from NISCO.
KnowledgeCommon MTC red flags and inconsistencies
A practical screening checklist for inconsistencies in mill test certificates before technical acceptance.
KnowledgeHow to Compare Steel Grades Across Standards Without Claiming False Equivalence
A reusable method for comparing EN, API, ASTM, ISO, GB, JIS and class-society steel grades without reducing the analysis to yield strength alone.
KnowledgeCTOD testing explained
What Crack Tip Opening Displacement testing measures, how the test is performed, why it differs from Charpy and why offshore qualification programs can contain many separate CTOD results.
KnowledgeDaye Special Steel / Xinyegang: the CITIC special-steel works
How the Daye name, historical Xinyegang identity and the CITIC parent fit together.
KnowledgeDelong Steel Group: group size, hot-rolled products and mill identity
Separate the major Delong manufacturing group from similarly named commercial steel suppliers.
KnowledgeDNV, ABS and IACS approvals: what they mean for steel products
How classification-society rules, manufacturer approvals and material certification relate — and why “DNV/ABS approved” is not a steel grade.
KnowledgeDongbei Special Steel: Northeastern special-steel group and Shagang connections
How Dongbei Special Steel fits within the Shagang-controlled corporate ecosystem.
KnowledgeDual certification in steel: when it is legitimate
What dual or multiple certification actually means, what must overlap, and why a material cannot be re-labelled merely because its chemistry and strength look similar.
KnowledgeDuplex 2205: UNS S31803, S32205 and EN 1.4462
How the common 2205 duplex designations relate, why S31803 and S32205 are not just interchangeable labels, and what to check when material is dual-certified.
KnowledgeEN 10160 ultrasonic testing of steel plate
How EN 10160 plate UT works at a practical level, including the difference between S body classes and E edge classes and what S0/E1 actually means.
KnowledgeEN 10204 3.1 vs 3.2 Inspection Certificates
A buyer-focused explanation of EN 10204 type 3.1 and 3.2 certificates: who validates them, what specific inspection means and what 3.2 does not automatically guarantee.
KnowledgeEN 10204 certificate types 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 and 3.2
A practical map of EN 10204 inspection documents, from declarations of compliance through 3.1 and independently validated 3.2 certificates.
KnowledgeEN 10210 vs EN 10219: What Actually Differs?
A practical comparison of hot-finished EN 10210 and cold-formed EN 10219 structural hollow sections, including grades, dimensions, section properties and purchasing implications.
KnowledgeEN 10216 series explained
A practical map of the five EN 10216 parts for seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes, separated by material family and service-temperature properties.
KnowledgeEN 10216 vs EN 10217
A direct comparison of the European pressure-tube families: EN 10216 for seamless tubes and EN 10217 for welded tubes, with a map of corresponding service/material families.
KnowledgeEN 10217 series explained
A practical map of EN 10217 Parts 1–7 for welded steel tubes for pressure purposes, showing how service temperature, material family and welding route determine the applicable part.
KnowledgeEN 10225 explained: product parts, grades and offshore scope
A practical map of the current EN 10225 family for plates, sections and offshore structural hollow sections, including the four-part structure, grade naming and scope limits.
KnowledgeEN 10279 vs EN 10365 for channels and sections
Why EN 10365 and EN 10279 are complementary on channel orders: nominal dimensions/masses versus tolerances on hot-rolled channels.
KnowledgeEN 10296 vs EN 10297
The welded-versus-seamless EN families for circular steel tubes used in mechanical and general engineering, and how they differ from pressure and structural tube standards.
KnowledgeHow ERW/HFI pipe is manufactured
How coil or strip becomes longitudinally welded pipe by high-frequency resistance/induction welding, and why ERW/HFW/HFI terminology needs context.
KnowledgeFangda Steel: group identity versus Fangda Special Steel
Distinguishing the steel group from its specialised listed producer and affiliated works.
KnowledgeFushun Special Steel: producer identity and 2025 shareholder change
A dedicated Fushun profile explaining the Shagang/Dongbei shareholder transition.
KnowledgeGrain-size testing for offshore structural steel
A practical explanation of grain-size testing, what it demonstrates and why offshore specifications may require it in addition to ordinary mechanical tests.
KnowledgeHardness testing of steel: HBW, HV and reporting
How Brinell and Vickers hardness testing differ, how to read HBW/HV results, when cutting a coupon is or is not necessary, and why converted hardness values need caution.
KnowledgeHBIS Group: how the Hebei steel group relates to Wuyang and its major production platforms
A group-level guide to HBIS and why buyers must distinguish the parent group from specialist operating mills such as Wuyang/Wugang.
KnowledgeHEA, HEB, HEM and IPE sections: practical differences
A practical comparison of IPE and HEA/HEB/HEM section families, including why nominal size numbers do not mean identical geometry or mass.
KnowledgeHengyang Valin Steel Tube: seamless pipes, Hunan Steel relationships and mill identity
Hengyang/Valin names, seamless pipe capabilities and practical certification checks.
KnowledgeHold, witness and review points in third-party inspection
How Hold, Witness and Review points work in an ITP, what each means operationally, and why the project-approved ITP always controls the exact obligations.
KnowledgeHow hot-rolled beams and sections are produced
From steelmaking and beam blanks to universal rolling, cooling, straightening and sawing: a practical overview of hot-rolled section production.
KnowledgeHSS, RHS, SHS and CHS terminology
A practical terminology guide to HSS, RHS, SHS and CHS, including why round structural hollow sections should not automatically be treated as pipe.
KnowledgeHunan Steel Group: Valin history, Xiangtan, Lianyuan and Hengyang explained
A buyer-focused map of Hunan Steel and the differences between its plate, flat and pipe operations.
KnowledgeImpact testing of structural plate: orientation, temperature and frequency
A practical guide to the three variables that are often mixed together in plate Charpy requirements: specimen orientation, test temperature and test frequency.
KnowledgeISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation vs product certification
What ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation actually demonstrates, what an accredited laboratory report does not prove, and how it differs from steel product certification.
KnowledgeJiangsu Yonggang Group: the producer behind the Yonggang name
Separate the integrated Jiangsu steel producer from similarly named supply-chain websites.
KnowledgeJiangyin Xingcheng Special Steel: CITIC ownership, bars and heavy plate
The difference between the Xingcheng manufacturing works, its CITIC parent and sister producers.
KnowledgeJianlong Group: private steel group, operating mills and sourcing identity
Understanding Jianlong as a large multi-site steel group rather than a single mill.
KnowledgeJingjiang Special Steel: the former VALIN Wuxi Steel within CITIC
Why the historic VALIN Wuxi Steel identity now appears within a CITIC operating group.
KnowledgeJingye Group: Chinese steelmaker, overseas subsidiaries and product identity
How Jingye’s Chinese production relates to overseas acquisitions and separate legal suppliers.
KnowledgeJIS/GB beam sizes vs European sections
How Japanese and Chinese H-beam designations differ from European HE/IPE profiles, and how to compare them without inventing a false section equivalent.
KnowledgeJISCO / Jiuquan Iron & Steel: regional group and stainless operations
Separating the Jiuquan group name from individual carbon and stainless production entities.
KnowledgeJR, J0, J2 and K2: Impact-Toughness Suffixes Explained
How to decode JR, J0, J2 and K2 in European structural steel grades and keep toughness, strength and delivery condition separate.
KnowledgeLadle refining vs vacuum degassing (VD)
Why ladle-furnace refining and vacuum degassing are different secondary-metallurgy operations, what each is used for, and why a mill may use both.
KnowledgeLaiwu Steel and Yinshan Section Steel: what the Laiwu name means today
An explanation of the historic Laiwu Steel name, today's Shandong Steel/Gangcheng structure and the 2025 transfer of Yinshan Section Steel.
KnowledgeLinzhou Fengbao Pipe Industry: what the Henan Fengbao seamless mill produces
An independent seamless-pipe producer with an oil-and-gas, pressure and structural-tube focus.
KnowledgeLiuzhou Iron & Steel Group: Liugang, Guangxi bases and product families
A procurement-focused guide to Liuzhou Steel and its wider Guangxi manufacturing ecosystem.
KnowledgeLongitudinal vs transverse Charpy orientation
What longitudinal and transverse Charpy orientation mean relative to rolling direction, why results can differ and how to avoid confusing specimen orientation with notch orientation.
KnowledgeMagang / Maanshan Iron & Steel: Baowu ownership, products and the Ma Steel name
A guide to Magang / Maanshan Iron & Steel, its Baowu ownership, common market names and core product families.
KnowledgeMaintaining traceability after cutting steel
How stockholders and service centres can preserve heat-level and piece-level identity when plates, pipes and sections are cut from master material.
KnowledgeManual UT vs automated UT (AUT)
What makes ultrasonic testing manual or automated, where PAUT and TOFD fit, and why a technically capable alternative still needs approval when the contract explicitly requires AUT.
KnowledgeMartensitic stainless grades such as 1.4021 and 1.4418
A short comparison of conventional martensitic 1.4021 and low-carbon Ni-Mo-alloyed 1.4418, including heat-treatment, corrosion and equivalence cautions.
KnowledgeMill, stockholder, distributor and service centre: who does what?
The practical differences between steel mills, stockholders, distributors and service centres, including inventory, production, certification, cutting and what each supplier type can realistically change.
KnowledgeMOQ, rolling campaigns and lead time in mill orders
Why mills impose minimum order quantities, how rolling campaigns drive availability, and how buyers can structure enquiries to reduce lead-time and MOQ problems.
KnowledgeHow to turn an MTO into a clean steel procurement list
A practical method for converting inconsistent MTO descriptions into a normalized sourcing table without losing line-item identity, technical requirements or quantity traceability.
KnowledgeN, NL, M and ML: Normalised and Thermomechanically Rolled Grades
A practical guide to EN 10025 fine-grain structural steel grades S355N, S355NL, S355M and S355ML, and why they are not the same as S355J2+N.
KnowledgeNACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 Applicability for Metallic Materials
What NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 is, how Parts 1–3 are organized, and why sour-service acceptability depends on material condition and environment rather than grade name alone.
KnowledgeNickel alloys 600, 625, C-22 and A286: designation basics
A designation-focused comparison of Alloy 600, Alloy 625, C-22 and A-286, including an important distinction: A-286 is an iron-base precipitation-hardening superalloy, not a nickel-base corrosion alloy.
KnowledgeNISCO / Nanjing Iron & Steel: names, ownership, products and approvals
A practical guide to NISCO covering its historical names, CITIC ownership, production scale, product range and international certifications.
KnowledgeNormalizing steel: what the heat treatment does
What normalizing does to steel, how normalizing rolling can achieve a comparable delivery condition, and why hot-finished does not automatically mean normalized.
KnowledgeNORSOK M-001 material requirements: where it fits in steel procurement
Where NORSOK M-001 sits in the specification hierarchy and why it should not be treated as a steel grade or stand-alone product standard.
KnowledgeOrdered length vs available stock length: how to manage cutting and yield
How to compare required piece lengths with available master lengths, calculate cutting yield and scrap, and preserve technical traceability when sourcing from stock.
KnowledgePangang / Panzhihua Steel: Ansteel’s vanadium-titanium steel platform
Understanding Pangang’s relationship with Ansteel and its specialist material footprint.
KnowledgePREN explained for stainless and duplex steels
What the pitting resistance equivalent number calculates, the common Cr-Mo-N formula and tungsten variant, and why PREN is only a screening index rather than a corrosion guarantee.
KnowledgePost-weld heat treatment (PWHT): when it appears in steel specifications
Why PWHT is specified, what it can change, which variables must be controlled, and why it must be checked against the material grade, fabrication code and qualified welding procedure.
KnowledgeQingdao Special Steel: CITIC’s Dongjiakou operating base
A site-level profile of Qingdao Special Steel, distinct from the broader CITIC group.
KnowledgeQuenched and tempered steel explained
A practical explanation of quenching and tempering, what the Q delivery condition means, and why Q&T steels require care during welding, heat treatment and substitution.
KnowledgeHow RHS, SHS and CHS are manufactured
Manufacturing routes for circular, square and rectangular hollow sections, including cold-formed welded, hot-finished welded and seamless products.
KnowledgeRizhao Steel Holding Group: independent Rizhao producer, products and certifications
A profile of independent Rizhao Steel Holding Group, its scale, ESP/coil and H-section products, and its distinction from Shandong Steel Rizhao.
KnowledgeRolled beam vs welded/fabricated beam
How one-piece hot-rolled beams differ from plate-built welded beams in geometry, availability, welding, inspection and procurement requirements.
KnowledgeHow SAW pipe is manufactured: SAWL and SAWH
How submerged-arc welded pipe is produced by longitudinal and helical routes, including plate/coil feedstock, forming, welding, expansion and inspection.
KnowledgeHow seamless steel pipe is manufactured
A practical process map from solid billet to finished seamless pipe, including piercing, elongation, sizing, heat treatment and inspection.
KnowledgeShagang Group: Chinese private steelmaker, long products and flat steel
Group structure, production scale, product families and procurement caveats for Shagang material.
KnowledgeShandong Iron & Steel Group: relationship to Shandong Steel, Laiwu and the Rizhao base
A corporate map separating Shandong Steel Group, listed Shandong Iron & Steel, Laiwu/Gangcheng operations and Shandong Steel Rizhao.
KnowledgeShandong Steel Rizhao Base: ownership, products and why it is not Rizhao Steel Holding
A focused profile of Shandong Steel's Rizhao operation and the critical distinction from the separate Rizhao Steel Holding Group.
KnowledgeShougang Group: Beijing heritage, steelmaking bases and product specialization
A guide to Shougang group identity, operating companies and premium flat-steel products.
KnowledgeSolution annealing of stainless and duplex steel
What solution annealing does in austenitic and duplex stainless steels, why rapid cooling matters, and how it differs from normalizing, stress relief and quench-and-temper treatment.
KnowledgeSteel purchase-order review checklist
A structured pre-acceptance review of a steel PO covering technical scope, document hierarchy, inspection, delivery, marking and commercial risks.
KnowledgeHow to prepare a steel RFQ that mills and stockholders can quote correctly
A practical RFQ structure for steel products that separates product identity, technical requirements, inspection, commercial terms and project-specific options.
KnowledgeHow to calculate or look up steel-section unit weight
When to use published kg/m values and when to calculate mass from cross-sectional area, with practical formulas for rolled and fabricated steel sections.
KnowledgeUsing stock material for offshore projects: documentation and retesting risks
What to check before proposing existing stock for an offshore project that asks for additional testing, traceability or certification.
KnowledgeStrain-ageing testing in offshore structural steel
Why strain-ageing tests are specified for some formed offshore components and what the test is intended to simulate.
KnowledgeSuper duplex 2507: UNS S32750 and EN 1.4410
A practical introduction to 2507 super duplex, its common UNS/EN designations, corrosion-strength profile and procurement checks.
KnowledgeTianjin Pipe / TPCO: seamless pipe producer, CITIC ownership and product approvals
How TPCO fits into CITIC and why Tianjin Pipe manufacturing certificates must be checked separately.
KnowledgeTISCO / Taiyuan Iron & Steel: Baowu control and stainless steel identity
TISCO’s ownership and the distinction between the group and its listed stainless producer.
KnowledgeTMCP / thermomechanical rolling explained
How thermomechanical rolling combines deformation, temperature control and cooling to produce fine-grained structural steels with high strength and toughness.
KnowledgeTraceability when stockholders cut material from master lengths or plates
How a stockholder or service centre should preserve the link between cut pieces and the original mill certificate, and what buyers should request before accepting cut stock.
KnowledgeTsingshan Holding Group: stainless steel, nickel and international production chain
How Tsingshan’s stainless and nickel operations fit together across China and Indonesia.
KnowledgeUB, UC and American W-sections vs European HE/IPE profiles
How British UB/UC, American W-shapes and European HE/IPE profiles differ, and why cross-series substitution should be exceptional and designer-approved.
KnowledgeUltrasonic testing standards by steel product form
A product-form map for choosing the right UT reference for plate, beams, bars and steel tubes instead of applying one ultrasonic standard to every steel product.
KnowledgeUT vs radiographic testing (RT)
A practical comparison of ultrasonic and radiographic testing: what each method sees well, where each has limitations, and why one cannot automatically replace the other.
KnowledgeEN 10210, 10216, 10217, 10219, 10296 and 10297: which tube standard applies?
A decision guide for selecting among six commonly confused European tube and hollow-section standard families by application first, then manufacturing route.
KnowledgeWho’s Who in Chinese Steel: a practical overview of the major groups
An introductory map of China’s steel groups and the mills beneath them.
KnowledgeWPS vs PQR: welding procedure documents explained
The practical difference between a Welding Procedure Specification and the qualification record behind it, including pWPS, WPQR/PQR and welder qualification.
KnowledgeWuyang Iron & Steel / Wugang: HBIS heavy-plate specialist, products and offshore approvals
A buyer-focused profile of Wuyang/Wugang, HBIS's specialist wide and heavy plate producer, including offshore/API product ranges and class approvals.
KnowledgeXiangtan Iron & Steel / Xianggang: Hunan heavy plate, long products and ownership
A focused profile of Xianggang, its Hunan Steel relationship and heavy-plate sourcing considerations.
KnowledgeXinyu Iron & Steel / XISCO: Baowu relationship and plate capabilities
Identifying Xinyu (XISCO) within Baowu without confusing it with Baosteel.
KnowledgeYoufa Steel Pipe Group: major welded-pipe producer, not a steelmaking group
How Youfa differs from primary steel producers and seamless-pipe mills.
KnowledgeZ-quality and through-thickness properties in offshore steel
Why offshore specifications frequently require Z25 or Z35, what through-thickness ductility measures, and how it differs from ultrasonic testing.
KnowledgeZenith Steel / Zhongtian Steel: identity and high-grade long products
A guide to the Zhongtian/Zenith name and multiple manufacturing bases.
ArticlesItalian court confirms shutdown order at Taranto steelworks
The Milan Court of Appeal upheld an order to shut down and remediate the hot-end area at Acciaierie d’Italia’s Taranto works over inadequate environmental safeguards. Italy’s only integrated steelworks is important to domestic flat-steel supply. The ruling confirms a shutdown order; it does not establish that operations have already stopped. Acciaierie d’Italia Flat steel Europe / Italy Italy Taranto Acciaierie d’Italia flat steel mill closure supply
ArticlesArcelorMittal plans major restructuring of Duisburg operations
ArcelorMittal plans to close Duisburg’s steel shop and billet rolling mill after its hot-metal contract ends in September 2027, subject to supervisory-board approval. The wire-rod mill would continue with billets from other group sites and external suppliers; Hamburg is a potential source of lower-carbon semis. ArcelorMittal Billets / wire rod Europe / Germany Germany Duisburg ArcelorMittal billets wire rod restructuring
ArticlesSalzgitter expands heavy-plate capability at Mülheim
Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech commissioned a hot straightening machine at Mülheim an der Ruhr. The investment expands processing of particularly thick, high-strength plate for energy infrastructure, including offshore-wind foundations and support structures. Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech Heavy Plate Europe / Germany Germany Salzgitter heavy plate Mülheim offshore wind high-strength steel
ArticlesSalzgitter signs major renewable-power deal for low-carbon steel
Salzgitter Flachstahl and Zelestra agreed a long-term power supply contract covering 147 MW of solar capacity and 79 MW / 237 MWh of battery storage across two projects. The renewable electricity will support lower-carbon steel production under SALCOS. Salzgitter Flachstahl / Zelestra Low-carbon steel Europe / Germany Germany Salzgitter green steel energy decarbonisation SALCOS
ArticlesChina Baowu considers stake in BHP iron-ore mine
China Baowu is considering a minority stake in BHP’s Jimblebar iron-ore mine in Western Australia, Reuters reported, citing sources. No transaction has been finalised. The possible investment would deepen the steelmaker’s upstream raw-material interests. China Baowu / BHP Iron ore China / Australia China Baowu BHP iron ore Australia raw materials M&A
ArticlesEU-India trade deal moves toward signature
The European Commission submitted proposals to the Council for signature and conclusion of the EU–India FTA. The agreement is not yet in force. Traders must distinguish potential future FTA treatment from import rules currently applicable. Steel trade Europe / India India European Union FTA steel trade tariffs WSSL
Market dataEUR/CNY reference rate · Europe / China
Foreign-exchange context CNY EUR 21 September 2026 ECB reference rate of CNY 7.6930 per EUR. This rate is market context only and is not a transaction or steel price.
Market dataHigh-speed wire rod · China
Specification not stated in source summary 3579 CNY tonne 13 September 2026 MOFCOM reported a national weekly price highlight of CNY 3,579/t, up 0.2% week on week. The summary does not state a product dimension and is not a complete steel-price series.
Market dataRebar · China
Specification not stated in source summary 3342 CNY tonne 13 September 2026 MOFCOM reported a national weekly price highlight of CNY 3,342/t, up 0.2% week on week. The summary does not state a product dimension and is not a complete steel-price series.
Market dataHot-rolled strip · China
Specification not stated in source summary 3441 CNY tonne 13 September 2026 MOFCOM reported a national weekly price highlight of CNY 3,441/t, down 0.4% week on week. The summary does not state a product dimension and is not a complete steel-price series.
Market dataBasic-metals producer price index · European Union
NACE C24 aggregate — not a steel quotation index points 31 July 2026 Eurostat’s EU27 producer-price index for manufacture of basic metals (NACE C24) was 124.5, with a 0.6% monthly increase. It is an aggregate industrial indicator, not a price for a specific steel product.
Market dataCBAM certificate price · European Union
Carbon-cost context — not a steel quotation 75.28 EUR tCO₂ 30 June 2026 Official CBAM certificate price applicable to Q2 2026. This is carbon-cost context and must not be interpreted as a steel price or a complete landed-cost calculation.
Market dataHeavy plate 8–40 mm · Southern Europe
Base-grade / S235 reference 740–760 EUR tonne 3 September 2026 Fastmarkets assessed Southern European domestic plate at EUR 740–760/t EXW on 3 September. Higher slab costs and limited October availability supported the increase.
Market dataHeavy plate 8–40 mm · Northern Europe
Base-grade plate 850–875 EUR tonne 3 September 2026 Fastmarkets assessed Northern European domestic plate at EUR 850–875/t EXW on 3 September amid tight spot availability and project-related mill demand.
Market dataHeavy plate · Italy
S355 ≈760 EUR tonne 12 September 2026 Kallanish reported S275 at about EUR 740/t EXW and an S355 premium of approximately EUR 20/t. EUR 760/t is the resulting indicative S355 level, not a separately quoted assessment.
Market dataSteel slab · Italy
Import slab 560–580 USD tonne 3 September 2026 Fastmarkets assessed slab imports into Italy at USD 560–580/t CIF on 3 September. Higher import costs added pressure to re-rolled plate pricing.
Market dataHot-rolled coil · Northwest Europe
HRC 730–760 EUR tonne 28 August 2026 Achievable Northwest European HRC levels were reported at EUR 730–760/t EXW for the week ending 28 August. Tighter imports supported domestic demand.
Market dataStainless flat products alloy surcharge · Europe
1.4404 / 316L 4.04 EUR kg 1 September 2026 September 2026 alloy surcharge for 1.4404 / 316L in the source’s Sheets (Bleche) category. This is an alloy surcharge only, not a full material price.
Market dataDuplex flat products alloy surcharge · Europe
1.4462 / Duplex 2205 3.94 EUR kg 1 September 2026 September 2026 alloy surcharge for 1.4462 / Duplex 2205 in the source’s Sheets (Bleche) category. This is an alloy surcharge only, not a full material price.
RegulationsEU Steel Regulation replaces previous safeguard regime
Regulation (EU) 2026/1384 opens annual quotas totalling 18,345,922 tonnes across 26 steel product categories. Covered imports exceeding or not benefiting from a quota face a 50% ad-valorem duty. Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are excluded. The main regime applies from 1 July 2026; melt-and-pour evidence obligations apply from 1 October. Steel Import Quotas European Union
RegulationsEU publishes country distribution of new steel quotas
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1457 allocates steel quotas by country, including MFN and FTA portions. Administration is first come, first served, subject to country-specific and residual-access rules. This distribution applies from 1 July to 31 December 2026. Steel Import Quotas European Union
RegulationsEU introduces bilateral steel safeguards for certain FTA partners
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1930 applies bilateral safeguards to covered steel from specified FTA partners. A 50% ad-valorem duty applies once the relevant quota is exhausted. Published on 5 August, it entered into force on 6 August 2026. Trade Defence European Union
RegulationsEU defines evidence required for steel “melt and pour” origin
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1963 sets evidence requirements for the country of melt and pour, including mill test certificates and specified alternatives. Published on 31 August, it entered into force on 1 September and applies from 1 October 2026. The standalone alternatives in Article 1(3) apply until 30 September 2027. Customs & Origin European Union
RegulationsEU reviewing possible expansion of Steel Regulation product scope
The Commission opened a consultation on possible additions covering cast-iron tubes and hollow profiles, non-alloy and other alloy wire, stainless wire and forged bars. Responses are due by 30 September 2026; the assessment is due by year-end. This consultation does not itself expand the product scope. Regulatory Consultation European Union
RegulationsCBAM certificate price for Q2 2026 set at EUR 75.28
The Commission published a Q2 2026 CBAM certificate price of EUR 75.28 on 6 July, versus EUR 75.36 for Q1. The Q2 price applies to embedded emissions in goods imported during April–June 2026. Prices are quarterly during 2026; certificate purchases via the central platform begin in February 2027. CBAM European Union