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Try the Free AI Search EngineEuropean Steel Production Dips: German & French Output Declines Amidst Stable Plant Activity
Steel production in Europe faces headwinds, particularly in Germany and France, while plant activity remains relatively stable. According to “Germany reduced steel production by 6.4% y/y in May,” German steel production decreased for the fifth consecutive month. Similarly, “France reduced steel production by 20.6% y/y in May” indicates a significant drop in French output. “Steel production in Ukraine fell by 14% in May – Worldsteel” highlights decreased production in Ukraine as well. While overall production decreased, no immediate disruption can be linked to these reports as the individual Plant Activities remained stable.
The following table shows the recent steel plant activity as captured by satellite observations:
The mean steel plant activity levels in Europe exhibit high fluctuations throughout the period, peaking in May 2025. However, the significance of these levels are questionable and may result from data gathering anomalies. Activity levels at Donetsksteel, Dunaferr, and SIJ Acroni plants show relatively stable trends with small upticks over the observation period, contrasting with overall production decreases reported in Germany and France. No direct connection could be established between the production decrease described in the news articles and the satellite-observed plant activities.
Donetsksteel Metallurgical Plant
Donetsksteel Metallurgical Plant, located in Donetsk, Ukraine, primarily produces pig iron using integrated (BF) processes with a blast furnace (BF) capacity of 1500 tons. Satellite data shows a gradual increase in activity from 20% in January 2025 to 22% in June 2025. While “Steel production in Ukraine fell by 14% in May – Worldsteel” indicates a decrease in Ukrainian steel production, this does not translate into a measured activity drop at the Donetsksteel plant itself based on satellite observation.
ISD Dunaferr Dunaújváros steel plant
ISD Dunaferr Dunaújváros steel plant in Hungary has a crude steel capacity of 1600 tons, primarily utilizing BOF technology. The plant’s activity, as observed via satellite, shows a minor increase from 12% in January 2025 to 15% in June 2025. The plant produces semi-finished and finished rolled products. There is no news explicitly connecting the broader European steel production downturn to activity at the ISD Dunaferr plant.
SIJ Acroni Jesenice steel plant
SIJ Acroni Jesenice steel plant in Slovenia focuses on electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production with a capacity of 726 tons, manufacturing flat and hot/cold rolled steel. Its activity exhibits a steady increase, rising from 47% in January 2025 to 54% in June 2025, consistently operating above the average activity level of the observed plants. There is no news explicitly connecting the broader European steel production downturn to activity at the SIJ Acroni Jesenice steel plant.
Given the production declines in Germany and France reported in “Germany reduced steel production by 6.4% y/y in May” and “France reduced steel production by 20.6% y/y in May,” steel buyers should closely monitor price trends for hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel originating from these regions. Since the plant activity shows stable behavior, the origin of the overall production declines must be further scrutinized to identify mid-term and long-term consequences.