EUROMETAL president Alexander Julius recently talked to SteelOrbis, giving his review of 2025 and expectations for 2026.
2025 review
2025 was a challenging but important year for the European steel distribution and downstream industry. It was marked by continued global overcapacity, intense price pressure, weak demand in key sectors and an increasingly complex regulatory environment in Europe. At the same time, the year confirmed the strategic importance of steel distribution as a stabilising and connecting force along the value chain.
For EUROMETAL, 2025 was a year of consolidation and progress. Despite limited resources, we significantly strengthened our presence and credibility in Brussels, gained direct access to key decision-makers, expanded our activities and working groups, and continued to grow our membership. This demonstrates that the voice of steel distributors and downstream users is not only necessary, but increasingly recognised at European level.
A key focus of EUROMETAL’s action in 2025 was the growing issue of steel derivatives. We actively raised awareness at EU level of the injury caused to European manufacturing by increasing imports of steel-intensive downstream products that are not subject to the same trade defence and carbon-related measures as primary steel. These imports undermine EU manufacturing competitiveness, distort the internal market and weaken the effectiveness of existing safeguards and CBAM. Addressing this imbalance has become a strategic priority for protecting European industrial value chains and jobs.
Expectations for 2026
Looking ahead to 2026, the challenges will remain substantial. Global overcapacity, geopolitical uncertainty and the implementation of major EU policies such as CBAM, safeguards and climate-related regulation will continue to shape market conditions and competitiveness.
Our expectation for 2026 is therefore not one of easing pressure, but of intensified engagement. EUROMETAL will further strengthen cooperation among national federations, deepen dialogue with EU institutions and remain firmly present where decisions affecting our industry are taken. Ensuring that regulation is realistic, proportionate and workable for steel distribution and downstream industries will be a key priority.
At the same time, 2026 must also be a year in which Europe seriously addresses industrial competitiveness. Without a strong, resilient and economically viable downstream steel sector, Europe’s broader industrial and climate ambitions will be difficult to achieve.
