As SteelOrbis had reported earlier, scrap prices in the local market in Germany have marked indicated increases in December. Negotiations have been tough but rare, and the export market put the local market under upward pressure at the beginning of the month.
Scrap volumes involved in negotiations have been on the low side, as well as the scrap inflow to scrap dealers. Lower end-of-year lower industrial production has resulted in reduced scrap generation and scrap traders have been less willing to sell, which is why consumers needing to secure volumes have had to increase their scrap purchase prices by €5-10/mt.
In the northern part of Germany, where competition from export yards has been higher, steel mills have increased their scrap purchase prices by €5-10/mt. In the east, in the west and southwest of Germany, scrap purchase prices have been higher than in the previous month by €10/mt depending on the quality, whereas in the Saar region old scrap has been bought at €10/mt higher and new scrap at prices €5/mt higher.
According to sources in the local German market, logistics have been the hardest issue for market players this year, and only smaller to medium-sized businesses have been flexible enough to adjust to the challenging market conditions. Although some market sources are still hopeful about next year, most players believe that 2026 will be harder than the current year, and that flexibility and resilience will be key to survival.
