【U.S. Steel Košice’s H1 Steel Output Falls 7%, Weighing on Near-Term Coking Coal Demand】

Published: Aug 12, 2026 10:02

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Slovak steelmaker U.S. Steel Košice (USSK) produced 1.79 million short tons of steel in the first half of 2026, down 7% year on year. Its capacity utilization rate fell by 5 percentage points to 72%, while steel shipments declined 8% to 1.58 million short tons. In the second quarter, steel production and shipments decreased 4% and 6%, respectively.

Despite the lower output, USSK’s first-half net revenue rose 6% year on year to $1.49 billion, while EBITDA increased 40% to $108 million, supported mainly by higher steel prices, a more favorable product mix and foreign-exchange movements. This suggests that improved profitability temporarily offset the pressure from lower production.

The company has applied to build an EAF at its Košice site. If the project is ultimately approved and replaces part of the plant’s blast-furnace capacity, it could create structural downside risks for USSK’s medium- to long-term coking coal and coke demand.

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