In 2024, the European Union (EU) increased its imports of direct reduced iron (DRI) by 5.4% year-on-year, reaching a total of 2.75 million tons. This growth follows a decline of 11.1% in 2023, indicating a recovery in demand for DRI. Italy remained the largest importer, accounting for 659,730 tons, despite a 23.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Other significant importers included Belgium and Poland, which saw increases in their DRI imports.
The rise in DRI imports reflects the EU's ongoing efforts to transition to greener steel production methods, as DRI is a key raw material for low-carbon steelmaking. The increase also highlights the EU's reliance on external suppliers to meet its sustainability goals and support the steel industry's shift toward environmentally friendly practices.
