Discussions for the new monthly negotiations on scrap purchase prices in Poland have begun this week. The local Polish market seems in line with other local European scrap markets in its decision to lower its scrap price levels. As for exports, however, the market remains stable or is showing a slight uptrend.
According to a source at a local Polish mill, scrap purchase prices in October will decline by around PLN 50/mt (around €12/mt), as finished steel demand remains at average levels and the ArcelorMittal plant in Dąbrowa Górnicza has interrupted its production activities, as SteelOrbis had previously anticipated. According to market reports, this temporary idling will last until November or December, and its production operations should restart in December 2025 or January 2026. Thus, the mill is not buying scrap nor it is selling finished products in the current month.
Another important Polish steel producer also intends to lower its scrap purchase prices by around PLN 50/mt (€12/mt) in October, favoring the purchase of semi-finished products that they consider more financially convenient. At the moment, scrap purchase prices of Polish mills are reported at PLN 1,040-1,100/mt (€245-260/mt) for HMS I scrap, PLN 950-990/mt (€220-230/mt) for HMS II scrap and PLN 1,070-1,120/mt (€250-265/mt) for bonus grades.
As for exports, collections prices at export yards are a bit lower compared to local mills’ purchase prices, in line with collection prices at export yards in other European countries. In particular, HMS I prices at export yards in Poland are reported in the range of PLN 1,030-1,050/mt (€240-247/mt), up by around €2/mt on the higher end of the range compared to last week. This upward trend, market sources claim, may be connected to the recent rebound in Turkey’s import scrap prices.
€1 = PLN 4.25