In the Italian steel market, a notable shift is on the horizon as hot rolled coil (HRC) prices are set to rise. A leading coil producer in Italy has paused sales temporarily and is contemplating price hikes for September deliveries. This move aligns with expectations set earlier by the European Commission’s proposal to extend the EU safeguard measure on steel imports for an additional two years.

The anticipated price adjustments come in response to a complex market situation characterized by low consumption rates across end-use sectors and service centers, coupled with a limited interest in importing materials. Despite these challenges, the scarcity of material due to reduced imports and extended production stoppages during the summer is likely to drive HRC values up, potentially by €20 per tonne.