Profit recovery drove up operating rates of EF steel mills

【SMM Steel】Germany's Salzgitter agreed to buy Thyrolf & Uhle, a specialty steel processor in Dessau-Roßlau. The deal targets the defense market, with rising demand for military vehicles and infrastructure protection. Thyrolf & Uhle employs ~100 people and processes over 12,000 tons of steel/year. It is certified to handle ballistic protection steel in SECURE® grades 400-600. This adds sheet metal and component expertise meeting military standards. Salzgitter's CEO says it strengthens its position in a sector needing reliable materials. The deal needs regulatory approval.

【SMM Steel】AM/NS India is the first integrated steelmaker certified under India's Green Steel Taxonomy. HR coils/sheets got 4 stars, CR coils/sheets 3 stars. The certification requires <2.2 t CO₂/t finished steel, approved by NISST. Via gas-based DRI, emissions intensity is down >35% since 2015 and was 14% below national avg in FY2025. AM/NS already supplies green steel for auto, infra, and machinery. It targets a 20% intensity cut by 2030 vs 2021 via renewables.

【SMM Steel】Habaş began the EIA process for its cold rolling facility in Aliağa, İzmir. The 490M TL project includes a PL/TCM line processing 1.824 Mt of HRC into 1.65 Mt of CRC/year. Five auxiliary units are planned. Construction continues but final permits are pending. The EIA allows public review of technical and environmental compliance. Operations are expected to start within 12 months.