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German Steel Market Heats Up: Investment Optimism Drives Plant Activity

Germany’s steel sector shows positive momentum driven by investment optimism and potential trade deals, though plant activity varies. Recent activity changes can be linked to sentiments expressed in Mercedes-Chef Källenius über Trump und Merz: „Am meisten investieren wir in Deutschland“, signaling continued commitment to domestic investment despite global economic challenges. While Markus Söder: „Wir nehmen jeden aus Harvard – und legen noch was drauf“ highlights confidence in Germany’s attractiveness for international investment, no direct relationship can be established with specific plant activities. The uncertainty surrounding Washington-Besuch: Merz bei Donald Trump – diese fünf Fallstricke lauern auf ihn could influence long-term investment decisions, but its immediate impact on plant activity remains unclear.

Bar chart and satellite map of steel production activity in Germany

Overall, the mean steel plant activity in Germany increased steadily from 11.0% in December 2024 to a peak of 37.0% in May 2025, before decreasing slightly to 33.0% in June 2025. Deutsche Edelstahlwerke steel plant showed a sharp decrease from 93.0% in December 2024 to a consistently low level of 25.0% from March 2025 onward, significantly below the national average. Riva Brandenburg Electric Steel Works displayed increasing activity from January (48.0%) to April (59.0%) before a slight decline in the last two months to 54.0%. Benteler Steel Tube Lingen plant saw a steady increase in activity, reaching 75.0% in June 2025, considerably above the average.

Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, has a crude steel capacity of 600ktpa via EAF. It produces semi-finished and finished rolled products like billets, square, and forged products, serving sectors like automotive and energy. Satellite data reveals a significant activity drop from 93% in December 2024 to a stable low of 25% from March 2025 onwards. No direct connection to the provided news articles can be established to explain this drop.

Riva Brandenburg Electric Steel Works, situated in Brandenburg, boasts a higher crude steel capacity of 1800ktpa, also using EAF technology. It produces wire rod, rebar, and steel billets for the building, automotive, and energy sectors. Its activity increased from 48% in January 2025 to 59% in April 2025, before decreasing slightly to 54% in June 2025. No direct link can be established to the provided news articles.

Benteler Steel Tube Lingen plant in Lower Saxony has a 650ktpa EAF capacity, producing tubes, billets, and slabs for automotive and construction. It shows a consistent rise in activity, reaching 75% in June 2025. This increase could potentially align with the positive investment sentiment highlighted in “Mercedes-Chef Källenius über Trump und Merz: „Am meisten investieren wir in Deutschland“”, as increased investment in the automotive sector may drive demand for Benteler’s steel tubes, but a direct correlation cannot be explicitly confirmed.

The declining activity at Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, combined with uncertainties surrounding international trade relations as suggested in “Washington-Besuch: Merz bei Donald Trump – diese fünf Fallstricke lauern auf ihn”, could lead to potential supply disruptions, especially for specialty steel products. Procurement professionals should diversify their supply base and secure contracts with alternative suppliers, particularly focusing on regions outside of North Rhine-Westphalia. The increased activity at Benteler Steel Tube Lingen plant may indicate a shift in regional supply dynamics, making them a potentially reliable supplier for tube and billet products. Steel buyers should proactively engage with Benteler to explore potential partnerships and secure future supply.