[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Nikel Paslanmaz to Invest $150M in Turkey’s Integrated Stainless Steel Production

Walsin Lihwa, Chinese Taiwan's leading stainless steel wire rod and cable producer, expects its stainless steel and cable divisions to outperform their Q1 results in the second quarter of 2026. The company noted that rising raw material costs and Chinese export controls are driving prices higher in the Chinese Taiwan, while China's inventory restocking and European seasonal peaks, coupled with carbon tax impacts, are boosting global demand. Meanwhile, the resources segment is expected to remain stable despite higher NPI production costs in Indonesia. The company’s new subsea cable joint venture with NKT is on track for completion by year-end, with revenue contributions slated for 2028.

Brazil's Secretariat of Foreign Trade (SECEX) issued Circular No. 33, confirming preliminary dumping and injury findings regarding hot-rolled stainless steel imports from China, Indonesia, and India. The calculated dumping margins are 50.1% for China, 25.3% for Indonesia, and 17.9% for India. However, authorities have opted not to impose provisional duties at this stage, citing the complexity of the multi-origin investigation and the need for further review. The final determination, which affects HRC and sheets with thicknesses of 2mm to 50.8mm (including NCM 7219 and 7220 headings), is scheduled for release on November 25, 2026.

Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, announced on Monday (May 11, 2026) that the government is suspending the planned implementation of export levies (bea keluar) on downstream nickel products to develop a more balanced "win-win" formula for both the state and private sectors. While the levy is intended to incentivize smelters to move beyond Nickel Pig Iron (NPI) production, which has currently achieved only 40% of its downstream potential, the government is opting for a "wise" approach following industry feedback.