The operating rate of steel rolling mills that rely on external steel billets is lower than previous years, which will continue to rise in March

Australia's Queensland government has granted elevated "Prescribed Project" status to three proposed steel and recycling developments totaling over A$1.9 billion, facilitating coordination of approvals and infrastructure to strengthen domestic steel supply. Equest Steel plans to invest A$1.05 billion in the Alter Steel Mill, a scrap-based steel recycling and manufacturing facility on a 23-hectare site at Pinkenba, while Future Forgeworks' A$640 million Swanbank Steel Mill is intended to supply reinforcing steel locally from 2028. Sims is also proposing an approximately A$215 million staged redevelopment of its existing Pinkenba waterfront site into an integrated metal recycling, processing and logistics hub. Together, the projects are expected to support more than 2,000 construction jobs and over 550 operational positions, while reducing reliance on steel supplied from interstate and overseas.

[Indonesia] Billet prices have remained stable at USD 478/metric ton FOB for over a week, reflecting persistent weakness in Indonesia's construction sector, where a significant number of projects have been deferred and current activity is largely confined to work already in progress. Demand is further weighed down by residual inventory overhang, as the market continues absorbing surplus stock from the earlier "panic-buying" period tied to Middle East tensions, when procurement outpaced actual consumption. With no substantive catalyst prompting mills to lower prices, and China's extended holiday period likely to dampen regional trading activity, billet prices are expected to remain range-bound in the coming week.

Liên minh châu Âu đã chính thức ban hành biện pháp tự vệ tạm thời đối với thép điện định hướng nhập khẩu và lõi máy biến áp hạ nguồn. Quy định này đặt mức giá nhập khẩu tối thiểu trong hạn ngạch từ 2.800 đến 3.400 euro/tấn, trong khi hàng nhập khẩu ngoài hạn ngạch phải chịu mức giá sàn nghiêm ngặt 3.500 euro/tấn, nhằm hạn chế nguồn cung thép điện nước ngoài để bảo vệ chuỗi cung ứng thiết bị lưới điện châu Âu.