Portugal Steel Production Ramps Up: SN MAIA Plant Activity Signals Rebar Supply Boost

The SN MAIA Siderurgia Nacional steel plant, located in Porto, Portugal, is showing a significant increase in production activity. This facility, with a 600,000 tonne annual capacity, primarily produces rebar for the construction sector using electric arc furnace (EAF) technology.

The thermal data reveals a consistent upward trend in the plant’s operational tempo. From November 2024 to May 2025, Electric Arc Furnace (EAF_0) activity increased from 77.0 to 92.0. While the initial months showed a gradual increase, the plant experienced a noticeable surge in activity from March 2025 onwards, indicating a significant shift in production output. This aligns with Tata Steel increased steel production in India by 4% y/y in FY2024/2025, highlighting a broader trend of increased steel production.

The escalating EAF activity at SN MAIA suggests a potential increase in rebar supply. Steel buyers and market analysts should monitor this trend, especially given the dynamics highlighted in Ferbasa ferro-alloys exports down, domestic sales up, where domestic demand shifts impacted export volumes. Understanding SN MAIA’s role in regional supply chains is crucial, particularly in light of companies like ArcelorMittal produced 14.8 million tons of steel in the first quarter, which demonstrate global production fluctuations. These insights are important when considering production levels and potential shifts in market dynamics.