English 
Polski Market review 01-07.02.2025
Katowice, Poland – 07 February 2025
** EU Considers Exempting Majority of Companies from Carbon Border Levy **
The European Commission is contemplating exempting 80% of companies affected by the forthcoming carbon border levy, according to EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. The move is based on an analysis revealing that 97% of emissions covered by the tariff originate from just 20% of the targeted companies. Hoekstra argued that imposing a heavy administrative burden on the remaining 80% with little impact on emissions reductions is counterproductive. The carbon border levy, set to take effect in 2026, will impose fees on imported steel, cement, and other products based on their embedded CO2 emissions.
Read more
** European Steel Market Faces Deepening Crisis **
The European steel industry continues to struggle amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty, with forecasts for steel consumption and production worsening. According to EUROFER’s Economic and Steel Market Outlook for Q1 2025, apparent steel consumption is expected to decline by 2.3% in 2024, a steeper drop than previously anticipated. Recovery in 2025 has also been downgraded, with projections reduced from 3.8% to 2.2%. The sector remains under pressure due to steel dumping, high energy and carbon prices, weak demand, and trade tensions. Imports continue to hold a historically high share of 28%, exacerbating challenges for domestic producers.
Read more
** European Workers Rally for Industrial Investment **
Industries across Europe are experiencing severe job losses, prompting a large-scale rally in Brussels led by industriAll Europe. The labor organization urged the EU to take immediate action to prevent further deindustrialization and protect manufacturing jobs. Since 2008, Europe has lost 2.5 million manufacturing jobs, including nearly 100,000 in the steel industry alone. The automotive sector has seen over 90,000 job cuts since June 2024. IndustriAll Europe has called for an emergency industrial investment program, protection against forced redundancies, and support for green industry jobs to safeguard workers’ futures. The European Commission is expected to unveil its Clean Industrial Deal on February 26, which may address these concerns.
Read more
** Liberty Ostrava Steel Plant Sale Begins Amid Bankruptcy **
The insolvency administrator for Liberty Ostrava has initiated the sale of the bankrupt steel plant following approval from the creditors’ committee. The sale will be conducted in two stages: an initial round where interested buyers submit binding offers, followed by a second round involving selected bidders. Prospective buyers can choose to bid for the entire business, including the coke plant, or opt out of this asset. The deadline for offers is April 7, 2025. Ahead of this deadline, interested parties must sign a confidentiality agreement and pay a deposit.
Read more
** EU Prepares to Counter US Protectionism in Steel Trade **
The European Union is gearing up for a potential trade dispute with the United States over steel and aluminum tariffs but remains open to negotiations. The EU has been assessing its response to US tariff threats, particularly in light of previous measures imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency. While a temporary truce was reached in 2021, tariffs on approximately $3 billion worth of American goods are set to expire in March 2025. The EU is likely to extend its suspension of duties to maintain diplomatic relations, but it has also promised a strong countermeasure if the US reintroduces protectionist policies. The European Commission is seeking to strengthen transatlantic ties through enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, and policy alignment on China.
Read more
***
Primeore Trading (Polska) Sp. z o.o. is a trading arm of Primeore Ltd. which is responsible for handling of all international trading and trading-related operations of the group. The company is involved into operations with manganese ore, ferroalloys, coke and coal products worldwide.
Media contacts
For further information please contact office.poland@primeore.eu
** EU Considers Exempting Majority of Companies from Carbon Border Levy **
The European Commission is contemplating exempting 80% of companies affected by the forthcoming carbon border levy, according to EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. The move is based on an analysis revealing that 97% of emissions covered by the tariff originate from just 20% of the targeted companies. Hoekstra argued that imposing a heavy administrative burden on the remaining 80% with little impact on emissions reductions is counterproductive. The carbon border levy, set to take effect in 2026, will impose fees on imported steel, cement, and other products based on their embedded CO2 emissions.
Read more
** European Steel Market Faces Deepening Crisis **
The European steel industry continues to struggle amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty, with forecasts for steel consumption and production worsening. According to EUROFER’s Economic and Steel Market Outlook for Q1 2025, apparent steel consumption is expected to decline by 2.3% in 2024, a steeper drop than previously anticipated. Recovery in 2025 has also been downgraded, with projections reduced from 3.8% to 2.2%. The sector remains under pressure due to steel dumping, high energy and carbon prices, weak demand, and trade tensions. Imports continue to hold a historically high share of 28%, exacerbating challenges for domestic producers.
Read more
** European Workers Rally for Industrial Investment **
Industries across Europe are experiencing severe job losses, prompting a large-scale rally in Brussels led by industriAll Europe. The labor organization urged the EU to take immediate action to prevent further deindustrialization and protect manufacturing jobs. Since 2008, Europe has lost 2.5 million manufacturing jobs, including nearly 100,000 in the steel industry alone. The automotive sector has seen over 90,000 job cuts since June 2024. IndustriAll Europe has called for an emergency industrial investment program, protection against forced redundancies, and support for green industry jobs to safeguard workers’ futures. The European Commission is expected to unveil its Clean Industrial Deal on February 26, which may address these concerns.
Read more
** Liberty Ostrava Steel Plant Sale Begins Amid Bankruptcy **
The insolvency administrator for Liberty Ostrava has initiated the sale of the bankrupt steel plant following approval from the creditors’ committee. The sale will be conducted in two stages: an initial round where interested buyers submit binding offers, followed by a second round involving selected bidders. Prospective buyers can choose to bid for the entire business, including the coke plant, or opt out of this asset. The deadline for offers is April 7, 2025. Ahead of this deadline, interested parties must sign a confidentiality agreement and pay a deposit.
Read more
** EU Prepares to Counter US Protectionism in Steel Trade **
The European Union is gearing up for a potential trade dispute with the United States over steel and aluminum tariffs but remains open to negotiations. The EU has been assessing its response to US tariff threats, particularly in light of previous measures imposed during Donald Trump’s presidency. While a temporary truce was reached in 2021, tariffs on approximately $3 billion worth of American goods are set to expire in March 2025. The EU is likely to extend its suspension of duties to maintain diplomatic relations, but it has also promised a strong countermeasure if the US reintroduces protectionist policies. The European Commission is seeking to strengthen transatlantic ties through enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, and policy alignment on China.
Read more
***
Primeore Trading (Polska) Sp. z o.o. is a trading arm of Primeore Ltd. which is responsible for handling of all international trading and trading-related operations of the group. The company is involved into operations with manganese ore, ferroalloys, coke and coal products worldwide.
Media contacts
For further information please contact office.poland@primeore.eu
