[SMM Steel] Slab Prices Remain Stable; No Changes in Fundamental Factors

[India Domestic] India domestic steel prices decreased amid slower near-term construction demand and cautious buying. Secondary-market rebar prices dropped between 5-10 USD/tonne (500-1,000 INR/tonne) across key markets. Mumbai Rebar decreased 5 USD/tonne (500 INR/tonne) to 543 USD/tonne (52,000 INR/tonne) EXW Mumbai. Meanwhile, Raipur rebar down 7 USD/tonne (700 INR/tonne) to 526 USD/tonne (50,400 INR/tonne) EXW Raipur. Jalna rebar down by 10 USD/tonne (1,000 INR/tonne) to 528 USD/tonne (50,500 INR/tonne) EXW Jalna. Mandi ingot down by 3 USD/tonne (300 INR/tonne) to 494 USD/tonne (47,300 INR/tonne) EXW Mandi. Scrap prices saw minor fluctuations but are expected to remain stable for now. The market outlook remains cautiously positive with expectations that rebar prices may stabilise or improve rather than fall further as post-monsoon demand picks up.

Google has entered an agreement with Swedish green steel producer Stegra to purchase environmental attribute certificates (EACs) linked to steel production at Stegra's facility in Boden, Sweden. The deal initially covers up to 91,000 tonnes of steel production in the first year, with volumes expected to rise over time, operating under a "book and claim" model where environmental attributes are traded separately from the physical steel. Google will use the certificates to help offset steel-related emissions from its operations, including data center construction, while the agreement provides Stegra with financial support during its ramp-up phase. Stegra's Boden plant uses green hydrogen instead of coal to cut steelmaking emissions by up to 95% compared to conventional blast furnace production.

South Korea has proposed extending anti-dumping (AD) duties on Chinese H-beams for another five years, following a review by the Korea Trade Commission (KTC). Under the plan, price commitments would require Laiwu Steel and Rizhao Steel to maintain minimum import prices for the next five years, while for remaining suppliers, the commission recommended extending existing AD duties ranging from 28.23% to 32.72%. Officials concluded that terminating these protective measures would cause material injury to the domestic manufacturing sector, paving the way for continued tariffs on H-shaped steel imported from China for use in construction and factory columns.