[SMM Iron & Steel] Cleveland-Cliffs Abandons Hydrogen Project for Coal-Based Blast Furnace

The World Steel Association reported on March 25, 2026, that while global crude steel production fell by 2.2% in February, India’s production surged by 7.7% year-on-year to reach 13.6 million tonnes. This growth is driven by the government's aggressive infrastructure spending and the "Make in India" initiative, which has bolstered domestic steel consumption. The increase in Indian output helps offset production declines in Russia and South America, as the country moves toward its national goal of 300 million tonnes of annual capacity by 2030.

Mesabi Metallics Company, backed by the Essar Group, announced on March 31, 2026, that it has secured a $520 million senior secured credit facility to complete its iron ore mine and pellet plant in Nashwauk, Minnesota. The project, which is in an advanced stage of development, is now on track to commence commercial operations in the third quarter of 2026. This facility is designed to produce 7 million tonnes of high-grade iron ore pellets annually, providing a critical domestic supply of feedstock for North American blast furnaces and future direct reduction plants.

The European Commission (EC) officially launched an investigation on March 30, 2026, into imports of grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) from several non-EU countries. GOES is a critical high-value component used in the manufacturing of power transformers and electrical equipment essential for the continent's energy transition. The investigation aims to determine whether imported products are being sold at unfairly low prices that damage European domestic producers and follows a broader trend of increased trade defense measures as the EU implements the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) this year.