The Italian stainless flat steel market continues to struggle with overcapacity, leading to declining prices and financial difficulties for processors. May has seen a further drop in demand, with service centers reporting reduced order volumes and quicker lead times.
Prices in Italy are falling faster than in Northern Europe, with cold rolled coil values averaging €2,300 per tonne delivered. The influx of Asian coil expected in the coming weeks is likely to add further pressure on stock levels and reduce domestic purchases.
Industry participants anticipate that the market will remain compromised until August, though some expect improvements later in the year as imports decrease and the CBAM mechanism takes effect in 2026.
