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Positive Outlook for Spain’s Steel Market: ArcelorMittal’s Gijón Facility to Reopen, Boosting Capacity

ArcelorMittal’s plans to restart Blast Furnace B at its Gijón plant next week, as reported in ArcelorMittal to restart Gijon BF B next week, indicate a significant revival in Spain’s steel production. This decision follows pressure tests and repairs that were successfully executed, aligning with recent satellite data showcasing a notable increase in activity levels across key steel plants.

Recent data show the mean activity level across plants in Spain reached a peak of 36% in December 2025 but has since declined to 18% in May 2026. Notably, Sidenor experienced a gradual decrease from 59% to an unknown level as of May 2026, while Celsa’s activity fluctuated less severely, settling at 42% in May—its performance remains more stable compared to the drastic drop seen in ArcelorMittal’s operations.

Sidenor Aceros Especiales Basuri’s robust activity of 59% in November 2025 significantly tapered to an undisclosed level, with no direct connection to recent news. Celsa Global Steel Wire showed less volatility, maintaining operations and focusing on finished rolled products, which may buffer against market fluctuations. In contrast, ArcelorMittal’s Gijón facility, crucial for achieving production goals, faced a steep decline to 30% in April, corroborated by the two articles highlighting the shutdowns due to maintenance issues and subsequent restart schedules.

The restart of Blast Furnace B is essential, as it is expected to return to full capacity quickly, coinciding with a projected rise in demand linked to new EU trade regulations. Buyers should closely monitor this development, as it positions ArcelorMittal to harness increased EU demand, previously noted in ArcelorMittal to resume operations in Gijon next week.

Given the current landscape, procuring steel promptly from reliable sources like Celsa or ensuring contingency plans for Sidenor’s fluctuating outputs is advisable to mitigate potential supply disruptions. Additionally, monitoring the performance of ArcelorMittal’s other plants, particularly as they ramp up operations, will be crucial for forecasting supply availability in the coming months.