SHFE Zinc Prices Fluctuate, East China Market Sees Oversupply and Sluggish Demand

【SMM Steel】Australia's Anti-Dumping Commission initiated an anti-dumping probe on zinc-coated (galvanized) steel from South Korea and Vietnam on June 19, 2026, following an application by local producer BlueScope Steel Limited. The investigation targets five overseas firms: POSCO, Dongkuk Coated Metal, Dongkuk Steel Mill, Hoa Sen Group, and Nam Kim Steel. The dumping probe covers activities from January 1 to December 31, 2025, with injury assessment backdated to January 1, 2022. Involved HS codes: 7210.49.00.55, 7210.49.00.56, 7210.49.00.57, 7210.49.00.58, 7212.30.00.61, 7225.92.00.38, and 7226.99.00.71. The authority will publish the statement of essential facts by October 7, 2026, and deliver the final determination to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science by November 23, 2026.

【SMM Steel】The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) is urging the EU to place supply chain security at the center of its next industrial policy push, calling for the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) to cover the auto parts market and adopt a clear definition of a "European vehicle" to ensure meaningful support for local production and sourcing. CLEPA noted that 75% of parts used in vehicles manufactured in Europe are produced regionally, making suppliers key to jobs, investment, and technological value. The group warned that if low-priced, heavily subsidized imports continue to expand, Europe could lose up to 350000 jobs by 2030. CLEPA also called for adjustments to foreign investment thresholds in battery and EV supply chains, while promoting stronger industrial cooperation with the UK and EFTA countries to preserve Europe's manufacturing base and innovation capacity.

【SMM Steel】Nippon Steel is planning to invest in an electric arc furnace (EAF) at its steelworks in Košice, Slovakia, as part of its strategy to reduce carbon emissions and promote greener steel production. The project is expected to cut reliance on traditional coal-intensive steelmaking routes with high CO2 emissions. The investment aligns with the broader transition of the European steel industry toward lower-emission technologies. The EAF adoption is also expected to improve energy efficiency at the Košice plant and strengthen its competitiveness amid increasingly stringent environmental regulations.