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Priority transport issues for the European steel industry
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Transport plays a central role for the EU steel industry in its competitiveness within and outside of EU borders as it accounts for up to 15% the steel sector’s total costs. A functional single market, with established principles of free movement of goods and services, is a necessary foundation on which the more than 500 steel processing and production sites in 24 steel-producing member states of the EU rely on in their everyday operations.
Brussels, 1 October 2026 - The European Steel Association (EUROFER) has elected Geert Van Poelvoorde, Chairman of the Board of ArcelorMittal Europe Steel, as its new President. Taking office today, Mr Van Poelvoorde said stronger home markets across the steel value chain, secure access to export markets and a strong industrial base will be essential to delivering on the European Union’s ambitions for global competitiveness and strategic autonomy.
Brussels, 1 October 2026 - Europe’s steel market remains under significant pressure, with exports falling sharply, production at historic lows and demand expected to remain almost flat in 2026, according to the European Steel Association’s (EUROFER) latest Economic and Steel Market Outlook 2026-2027. EU steel exports to third countries fell by 20% in the first half of 2026, with declines across all major export destinations covered by the report. At the same time, crude steel production continued to falter, after reaching a historic low of 125.8 million tonnes in 2025, while apparent steel consumption is forecast to grow by just 0.1% in 2026, before increasing by 2.3% in 2027.
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The European Steel Association (EUROFER)
172 Avenue de Cortenbergh
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Email: mail@eurofer.eu
Phone: +32 (0) 2 738 79 20
