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Steel, the Backbone of Sustainability in Europe
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Modern society would be impossible without steel. The European Steel Industry Vision is based on the decisive contribution of steel to European socio-economic growth and sustainable production, as well as the Circular Economy, which is expected to become even more important in the future.
In the short term, the sustainability of the European steel industry will depend upon meeting the formidable challenge of remaining economically viable against a background of excess global supply.
In the short, medium and long term, the European steel industry:
Steel has significant social value and is by far one of the most important, multi-functional and adaptable materials.
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Brussels, 11 September 2025 – The lack of a solution for steel in the EU-U.S. trade negotiations, the ongoing unpredictability of the global geoeconomic situation, and persistently weak demand against an ever-growing global steel overcapacity are squeezing the European steel market. In 2025, the outlook points to stagnation, with potential recovery only in 2026 — conditional on improvements in the global economy and an easing of trade tensions. According to EUROFER’s latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook, another recession both in apparent steel consumption (-0.2%, revised upwards from -0.9%) and in steel-using sectors (-0.7%, revised downwards from -0.5%) is confirmed for 2025. Growth prospects are now delayed at least to 2026, with projections of a rebound for both apparent steel consumption (+3.1%) and steel-using sectors (+1.8%). However, steel imports continue to hold historically high market shares (25%) in 2025.
Third quarter 2025 report. Data up to, and including, first quarter 2025
Brussels, 10 September 2025 – Reacting to today’s State of the Union Address delivered by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Axel Eggert, Director General of the European Steel Association (EUROFER) said: