Azerbaijan has launched local production of hot-rolled flat bars for the first time and successfully completed its first-ever export of merchant bar products to the United Kingdom and Ireland, including the city of Belfast.

Construction of the world’s biggest hydropower megadam has begun, China’s premier has said, calling it the “project of the century”.

The Ministry stated in a statement that the agreement includes “the supply of additional equipment, the completion of engineering works, and the installation and commissioning of a new rolling mill at AL SOLB (formerly SIDER El Hadjar complex), with a production capacity of 800,000 tons of rebar, increasing AL SOLB’s production to 1.4 million tons annually.”

World crude steel production for the 70 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 151.4 million tonnes (Mt) in June 2025, a 5.8% decrease compared to June 2024.

The situation is similar in the Italian wire rod segment, where prices have remained stable week on week but “the market response is very slow”, a source said. Local wire rod prices have been reported at €610-625/mt delivered for drawing quality and at €595-610/mt delivered for mesh quality.

German Stahl-Holding-Saar Group and its subsidiaries German steel plate producer Dillinger, long steel producer Saarstahl, and its subsidiary ROGESA have obtained federal permits for constructing a direct reduction plant and two electric arc furnace plants in Dillingen and Völklingen. The permits mark a major milestone in their transition to green steel production.

In the commercial-grade segment, buyers continued pushing prices down, with bids emerging at around $565-575/t fob. However, Turkish producers largely deemed these levels unworkable. Still, several sales were concluded at $580-585/t fob for commercial grades. Higher-grade merchant bar managed to fetch firmer prices, reflecting relatively better buyer acceptance.

“Through our new investments, we will expand capacity, broaden our production offerings and double production,” Hashimoto said. Though 40 engineers have been dispatched to the United States, Hashimoto indicated that more personnel would be needed to support the move to greater capacity and an enhanced product lineup.

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co (Baosteel), the listed arm of the world's top steelmaker China Baowu Steel Group, has decided to raise the list prices of its carbon hot-rolled coil (HRC) by Yuan 100/tonne ($14/t) for domestic sales in August, according to the company's latest pricing announcement issued on July 9.

The probe focused on galvalume steel coils/sheets, also referred to as alu-zinc or zinc-aluminum steel, and found that Chinese exporters were circumventing existing duties on galvanized steel by shifting exports to similar but technically distinct product categories.

In May, imported coke supplies amounted to 41.12 kt, down 7.1% month-on-month and 27.2% compared to May 2024. In April – 44.26 thousand tons, March – 56.44 thousand tons, February – 63.43 thousand tons, January – 92.5 thousand tons.

A total investment of PLN 52 million ($14.45 million) under a broader PLN 100 million ($27.79 million) modernization plan, these furnaces mark a key milestone in reducing the environmental footprint of steel production.

Tata Steel UK, a subsidiary of India-based steelmaker Tata Steel Limited, has announced that it has signed a contract with local company Systems Group for the first phase of the refurbishment of its two continuous casters in Port Talbot, South Wales.

The company invested RUB 1 billion (approximately $17.4 million) into the project, which is designed to produce up to 50,000 metric tons of pile pipes annually. The products are engineered to withstand harsh operating conditions, aligning with modern construction and energy sector demands.

UK Steel’s recommendations to strengthen existing steel safeguard measures have been taken forward today after the Secretary of State stepped in at a critical time for industry.

Svenska kraftnät is investing to strengthen and expand the transmission grid with increased capacity. Among other things, a new station will be built in Hällmyran in Luleå, from which Vattenfall will connect SSAB’s new steel mill.

The Brazilian production of crude steel reached 2.706 milion mt in May 2025, 5.0 percent more than in May 2024, according to theBrazilian steel institute, lABr

China produced 86.6 Mt in May 2025, down 6.9% on May 2024. India produced 13.5 Mt, up 9.7%. Japan produced 6.8 Mt, down 4.7%. The United States produced 7.0 Mt, up 1.7%. Russia is estimated to have produced 5.8 Mt, down 6.9%. South Korea produced 5.1 Mt, down 1.7%. Türkiye produced 3.1 Mt, down 2.8%. Germany produced 3.0 Mt, down 6.4%. Iran is estimated to have produced 3.4 Mt, up 4.5%. Brazil produced 2.7 Mt, up 5.0%.

The project, titled "Boosting Green and Low-Carbon Hydrogen in Turkey," aims to strengthen institutional capabilities and provide specialized training, technical expertise, and analytical support to accelerate the country's transition to clean hydrogen technologies.

The company has made considerable investments and efforts to keep ArcelorMittal Zenica and ArcelorMittal Prijedor within the group. However, after a thorough strategic review, the company concluded that a sale is the best solution for the development of the business and its people.

As part of the ambitious project, Lion Group will invest approximately $8 billion into Algeria’s metallurgy, steel, and aluminum industries. The collaboration also includes the construction of a new export port in Boumerdès, a key logistical element expected to support future export operations.

India’s 12% safeguard duty on steel imports is showing early signs of success, with total import volumes projected to fall by 50% in fiscal year 2025–26, compared to the 9.5 million metric tons (mt) imported in FY 2024–25. This was confirmed by Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary at the Ministry of Steel, in a statement on Thursday, June 19

Highlights of the acquisition include Nippon’s $11 billion investment into US Steel facilities by 2028. The US Steel headquarters will remain in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with existing US mills maintaining capacity to meet domestic demand.