Key decision-makers within Europe’s stainless steel industry met in late September at the SMR conference in Offenbach, Germany, where raw material supplier, mill, distributor and consumer representatives discussed current trends and business prospects for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027 (...)

• Scrap buyers continuing to be highly price-sensitive
• China’s stainless steel output remains high
• Relatively strong Indian stainless scrap market

• Steady demand for stainless steel finished products
• Scrap imports 6% lower in first half of 2026
• Uncertainty around European scrap availability in 2027

• Stainless melt shop production climbs 4.1% in second quarter
• Exorbitant costs for West Coast recyclers shipping to mills further east
• Recycled stainless exports up 21% in January-June this year

• Subdued industrial demand and cautious purchasing policies
• Buyers largely basing purchases on actual production requirements
• More attention on material origin, carbon footprint and recycled material use

• Relatively stable market for stainless steel and special alloys
• Strong influence of higher freight and insurance costs
• Import dependency and logistics key factors in several African markets

• Good availability of superalloy scrap across most grades
• Aerospace continuing to provide strong underlying demand
• Tungsten a stand-out performer in metals market