In April 2025, leaders from EUROFER and EUROMETAL met to discuss potential collaboration areas for strengthening messaging and initiatives to support the European steel and steel-using industries. This initial exploratory meeting was prompted by the Steel Dialogue on 4 March 2025, hosted by the European Commission, during which EUROMETAL raised concerns regarding the impact of imported steel derivatives on European distribution, processing, and manufacturing industries.
EUROFER and EUROMETAL acknowledged that a robust manufacturing base is essential for strategic autonomy and involves the entire steel supply chain – including both steel production and processing. The Steel and Metals Action Plan represents a strong starting point, where the European Union recognizes the importance of industry and the challenges it faces and translates it into effective regulatory frameworks. Both EUROFER and EUROMETAL believe that sharing knowledge and perspectives across the value chain will enhance the design and implementation of such policies and measures.
“Both EUROMETAL and EUROFER have a strong interest in a vibrant European steel value chain.”
Axel Eggert, director-general of the European Steel Association (EUROFER).
EUROMETAL represents ‘a significant portion’ of the intermediate steel processing market in Europe – comprising nearly 50% of EU deliveries. These processors, it is claimed, face substantial challenges to remain competitive and require stronger, more targeted support. A steel industry confronted with a shrinking customer base, particularly in downstream sectors, poses broader risks for the entire European industrial ecosystem, and the same applies to the European steel customer base that requires a viable steel industry in Europe.
“The focus of European policymakers needs to be expanded to the complete supply and value chain of our industry.”
Alexander Julius, president of EUROMETAL.
The two associations underscored that the weakening of this vital supply chain puts at risk 13.6 million direct jobs across steel processing, intermediate suppliers, and manufacturing sectors in the EU. The consequences, it is claimed, will go far beyond economics and threatens a wider European deindustrialization, with the relocation of R&D capacities, loss of innovation hubs, and increased dependence on external markets.
Alexander Julius, president of EUROMETAL, commented: “The EU steel using and steel making industries are at stake. The focus of European policymakers needs to be expanded to the complete supply and value chain of our industry. Joint efforts of EUROFER and EUROMETAL will form a solid basis approaching this important topic sustainably.”
Axel Eggert, director-general of the European Steel Association (EUROFER), said:
“Both EUROMETAL and EUROFER have a strong interest in a vibrant European steel value chain at the benefit of the EU's economic resilience and strategic autonomy as well as investment, innovation and quality jobs in Europe. We therefore appeal on EU policymakers to support our joint efforts.”