At the SteelOrbis 2026 Spring Conference & 94th IREPAS Meeting in Amsterdam, raw material suppliers warned that tighter scrap availability and geopolitical risks are reshaping global markets.
Jens Björkman of Stena Metal International said the market is being influenced by:
- Tighter global scrap supply
- Changing trade flows
- Rising freight costs
- Geopolitical disruptions
Turkey Drives Demand
Turkey’s stronger steel production and reduced semis imports from Iran have lifted scrap demand, pushing prices to around $410/mt, an annual high.
China Output Slowdown Supports Sentiment
China’s lower steel output and stable iron ore prices of $105–110/mt have supported sentiment in other regions.
No Global Scrap Surplus
Björkman stressed that there is no global oversupply of scrap, as increasing EAF adoption and decarbonization trends continue to absorb volumes.
The market outlook remains uncertain due to energy prices, financing constraints, and geopolitical tensions.
VietnamSteel by Hoa Sen Group
