The industry is recovering slightly from a slump, but the association warns of a lack of trend reversal and calls for political support
German steel production rises by nine percent, but remains below previous year's level
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Summary
In the first half of 2025, it had fallen by almost 12 percent, so the production volume from the first half of 2024 was not reached again - at that time it was 19.4 million tons. As the German Steel Federation announced in Berlin, around 18.6 million tons of crude steel were produced in the first half of the year, nine percent more than in the same period last year. Steelmaker Salzgitter recently raised its forecast for 2026.
Furthermore, The current figures do not show a sustainable trend reversal, the association said: Projected over the year, 2026 would come to around 37 million tons, thus below the 40 million ton mark needed for economically viable capacity utilization. Cheap imports from Asia are making business difficult for German manufacturers so far. 'The trade defense instrument is indispensable for the steel industry in Germany and Europe,' says Rippel. 'It ensures that a future recovery in demand actually translates into higher capacity utilization for steel companies in Germany and other EU member states.' The German Steel Federation is calling on politicians to provide additional demand impulses so that the industry can recover sustainably. Germany's steel industry is under pressure; due to overcapacities, the largest domestic steel producer Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (TKME) is cutting thousands of jobs.
In addition, Germany's ailing steel industry is picking up again somewhat, but the situation remains tense.
Cross-referenced from 2 sources.
Factual coreconfirmed by several independent voices
In the first half of 2025, it had fallen by almost 12 percent, so the production volume from the first half of 2024 was not reached again - at that time it was 19.4 million tons.
reliability low1/2 sourcesAs the German Steel Federation announced in Berlin, around 18.6 million tons of crude steel were produced in the first half of the year, nine percent more than in the same period last year.
reliability low1/2 sourcesSteelmaker Salzgitter recently raised its forecast for 2026.
reliability low1/2 sourcesThe current figures do not show a sustainable trend reversal, the association said: Projected over the year, 2026 would come to around 37 million tons, thus below the 40 million ton mark needed for economically viable capacity utilization.
reliability low1/2 sourcesCheap imports from Asia are making business difficult for German manufacturers so far. 'The trade defense instrument is indispensable for the steel industry in Germany and Europe,' says Rippel. 'It ensures that a future recovery in demand actually translates into higher capacity utilization for steel companies in Germany and other EU member states.' The German Steel Federation is calling on politicians to provide additional demand impulses so that the industry can recover sustainably.
reliability low1/2 sourcesGermany's steel industry is under pressure; due to overcapacities, the largest domestic steel producer Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (TKME) is cutting thousands of jobs.
reliability low1/2 sourcesGermany's ailing steel industry is picking up again somewhat, but the situation remains tense.
reliability low1/2 sources
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