Steel Intelligence Briefing

From policy design to policy implementation

The Week That Was – March 13, 2026

From Mark Fluke

Head of Trade & Customs

This week’s developments highlight the steel industry’s transition from policy design to policy implementation.

With the European Commission preparing to publish the first CBAM certificate price in April, the carbon border mechanism is moving from a reporting framework toward a tangible financial signal for importers.

At the same time, industry groups across Europe continue to warn that industrial competitiveness remains fragile, particularly in regions facing higher energy costs and increasing regulatory obligations.

Meanwhile, developments ranging from geopolitical disruptions affecting UK steel orders to ongoing green steel innovation illustrate the broader transformation underway across global steel markets.

News in Brief (TL;DR)

Middle East geopolitical tensions have forced British Steel to temporarily halt new orders, illustrating how geopolitical volatility can quickly affect supply chains. (MSN)
Sweden continues to emerge as a global leader in green steel development, reinforcing its position at the forefront of hydrogen-based steelmaking innovation. (Forbes)
Researchers are exploring biomass-derived carbon sources such as rice husks as potential pathways to lower emissions in steelmaking. (MSN)
Industry experts warn that UK steel remains structurally uncompetitive without further policy support, particularly in relation to energy costs and trade protection. (EUROMETAL)
European industrial associations are analysing the implications of the EU’s Industrial Accelerator / Made in Europe framework for heavy industry. (EUROMETAL)
Fastener manufacturers have warned that CBAM could significantly raise costs for European manufactured goods assembled with imported components. (EUROMETAL)
The European Commission is expected to publish the first CBAM certificate price in early April, marking a major milestone in the mechanism’s rollout. (EUROMETAL)
Türkiye’s recognition within the EU’s “Made in Europe” framework may support its steel sector’s integration into European industrial supply chains. (EUROMETAL)

CBAM Moves Toward Price Discovery

One of the most important developments this week is the European Commission’s expected publication of the first CBAM certificate price on 7th April.

During the current transitional phase, companies have primarily focused on data reporting and emissions tracking.

The publication of a reference price will represent the first step toward translating carbon reporting into direct financial costs for importers. For the steel sector, this marks the beginning of a new phase where carbon intensity becomes a measurable commercial factor in trade decisions, potentially influencing sourcing strategies and supply chain alignment.

Industrial Competitiveness Remains a Core Concern

Alongside decarbonisation policy, industry groups continue to warn that European steel producers remain under pressure from structural cost disadvantages, particularly in relation to energy pricing and regulatory burdens.

UK steel producers have echoed similar concerns, with industry panels suggesting that without policy adjustments — including trade protections and energy cost reforms — the domestic sector risks falling further behind international competitors. This tension between industrial competitiveness and climate ambition remains one of the defining policy challenges for governments.

Green Steel Innovation Continues

Despite these challenges, progress toward lower-emission steel production continues.

Sweden remains a focal point for green steel development, particularly through hydrogen-based production methods that aim to significantly reduce emissions compared with traditional blast furnace routes.

At the same time, research into alternative carbon sources — including biomass-derived materials — highlights the wide range of approaches being explored as the industry seeks to decarbonise. While many of these technologies remain in early stages of deployment, they illustrate the scale of experimentation underway across the global steel sector.

Our Analysis

The coming months are likely to represent a critical transition period for the steel industry.

With CBAM moving closer to financial implementation, industrial policy debates intensifying, and green steel investment accelerating, the sector is entering a phase where policy frameworks will increasingly shape market dynamics. Steel markets are gradually shifting away from purely price-driven global competition toward a more complex environment where carbon costs, regulatory compliance, and industrial strategy play a growing role in determining trade flows and investment decisions.

Forward Signals

The publication of the first CBAM certificate price in April will provide the first real indication of the financial impact of the mechanism on imports.
Policymakers across Europe are likely to face increasing pressure to address industrial competitiveness concerns, particularly around energy costs.
Continued experimentation with green steel technologies suggests that the decarbonisation pathway will likely involve multiple technological approaches rather than a single dominant solution.

Closing Note

If you’d like to explore how these developments affect your supply chain or market strategy, let’s connect.

Mark

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