[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] EU "Melt & Pour" Rules to Test Indonesia's Stainless Steel Market in Q4

Published: Aug 11, 2026 09:11

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Chinese Taiwan's stainless steel ex-mill prices rose approximately NT$1,500/ton last week following August list price increases, lifting spot market prices as well. Indonesia also raised export offers by US$30/ton last week, providing additional market support, though buyer acceptance remains to be seen. Meanwhile, the EU's new melt-and-pour import origin declaration requirement takes effect October 1, 2026, shifting market focus from tariffs and quotas to actual upstream steel origins — making the response of mills in Indonesia, Taiwan (POC), and other markets a key Q4 issue. Indonesia exported approximately 330,000 tonnes of stainless steel slabs to Italy last year, with EU slab exports already exceeding 123,000 tonnes this year, as semi-finished slabs have become a critical route for Indonesian material entering the European supply chain. Under the new rule, Indonesian melt origin will remain traceable even if slabs are processed in third countries before entering the EU. Should EU-bound exports face restrictions, a return flow of Indonesian material to Asian markets could emerge, making production discipline among major mills a pivotal factor in Q4 price stability.

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