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Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, typically containing less than 2% carbon along with other elements such as manganese, chromium, nickel and molybdenum, and is one of the world's most important industrial materials. The addition of carbon and other alloying elements gives steel superior strength, durability and versatility compared with pure iron, making it essential for construction, manufacturing, transport and infrastructure. Steel production involves either the basic oxygen furnace method, which uses iron ore and coke, or the electric arc furnace route, which recycles scrap steel. Major steel-producing regions include China, which accounts for more than half of global output, India, Japan, the United States and the European Union. The steel industry is a significant consumer of iron ore, coking coal and energy, and its performance is closely tied to construction activity, automotive manufacturing and capital investment cycles. Steel is traded globally both as a finished product in forms such as rebar, plate, coil and structural sections, and as semi-finished products including billets and slabs. Pricing is influenced by raw material costs, energy prices, demand from key sectors and trade policies including tariffs and quotas. The industry faces ongoing challenges related to overcapacity, environmental regulation and the transition to lower-carbon production methods such as hydrogen-based steelmaking. Steel remains a bellwether for economic activity and industrial development worldwide.

Steel News


Photo of Terence Creamer
Share the strategy
18th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Most South African manufacturers, besides those few companies benefitting from market tailwinds linked to the deadly conflict disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, are under strain. The pain... 


Fortescue iron-ore mine
Iron-ore firms on China pre-holiday restocking, demand uncertainty caps gains
17th September 2026 By: Reuters

Iron-ore prices rose for a second session on Thursday, as Chinese steelmakers stepped up seaborne purchases ahead of a national holiday, although shrinking steel mill margins clouded the demand... 


Metallurgical coal pile
India's met coke imports set for record despite anti-dumping levy
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

India's met coke imports are set to reach a record high this year despite an anti-dumping levy imposed in July, as domestic shortages and strong demand from pig iron producers fuel higher overseas... 


Steel rolls
Indonesia launches anti-dumping investigation into steel products from China, ministry says
15th September 2026 By: Reuters

Indonesia has launched an anti-dumping investigation into imports of galvanised steel products from China, the Trade Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The investigation will involve... 


Whyalla Steelworks
Australia's Whyalla Steelworks to cut hundreds of jobs ahead of sale
14th September 2026 By: Reuters

Around 500 workers will be made redundant at Australia's second-largest steel mill, administrators and lawmakers said on Monday. Whyalla Steelworks in South Australia is currently searching for a... 


IDC's developmental mandate in preserving steel sector has been underlined by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau
IDC seeks explicit Treasury guarantee to bolster development mandate
11th September 2026 By: Terence Creamer

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has confirmed that it has approached the National Treasury for an explicit guarantee, which it says will enable it to attract more concessional funding... 


Pig iron
UK engineering firm Primetals confirms three viable pig iron production routes for US-based MagIron
9th September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

UK-headquartered Primetals Technologies has completed a concept and economic study for US-based MagIron that evaluates the development of large-scale granulated pig iron production to be integrated... 


Steel smelting
Indian steel prices set to rise further on coking coal costs, demand revival
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

Indian steel prices are expected to rise further in the coming weeks as a post-monsoon pickup in infrastructure and automotive demand tightens the market while higher coking coal costs lift... 


Iron-ore heap
China August iron-ore imports beat expectations as typhoons delay July customs clearance
8th September 2026 By: Reuters

China's iron-ore imports in August rose 0.4% from a month earlier, defying analysts' expectations for a decline, as multiple typhoons battered unloading at ports and delayed customs clearance in... 


Location map of the Makhado coal project
Makhado steelmaking hard coking coal project, South Africa – update
4th September 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

On August 13, 2026, MC Mining entered into a loan agreement and a share subscription agreement with its controlling shareholder, Kinetic Development Group, for up to $16-million in further capital... 


LIGHT IN THE DARK
SAISC has sought to expedite waiver adjudications where structural steel sections are temporarily in short supply. It has mobilised all the major associations that represent the steel manufacturing industry to support its efforts
Institution looks to waiver adjudications to address shortages
4th September 2026 By: Nadine James

To help combat the current structural steel shortage in South Africa, industry body the Southern African Institute of Steel Construction (SAISC) CEO Amanuel Gebremeskel says the organisation is... 


Algoma steel production
Canadian steel plate producer Algoma sustains production for now while full restore is underway
3rd September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Canadian steel plate and hot-rolled steel products producer Algoma Steel has been working closely with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) to implement interim operating arrangements... 


Graphite electrodes
Graphite electrode manufacturer GrafTech shuts Mexican plant
1st September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

NYSE-listed graphite electrode manufacturer GrafTech has announced the permanent closure of its Monterrey graphite electrode facility in Mexico. The planned closure is intended to better align the... 


An image of Simandou
Iron-ore production set for further growth to 2030 – BMI
31st August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Global iron-ore production growth will accelerate over 2026 to 2030, averaging 2.2% growth over that period, compared with 1.2% over the previous five years, with production expected to reach... 


IDC sets R51.5bn disbursement target as it aligns  strategy to new industrial thrusts
IDC sets R51.5bn disbursement target as it aligns strategy to new industrial thrusts
28th August 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South Africa’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has set a target of disbursing R51.5-billion in funding over the coming three financial years having aligned its corporate plan to... 


Iron-ore rock
India’s iron-ore choices could shape steel demand, decarbonisation, IEEFA warns
28th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

US-based think tank Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) outlines in its latest report 'India's looming iron-ore challenge' how the country may not have enough access to... 


British Steel plant
Chinese steelmaker Jingye warns UK government may deter more international investment with latest conduct
26th August 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Chinese steel producer Jingye Steel has once again implored the UK government to "face up to its obligations under international law, respect objective facts and provide adequate compensation for... 


Steel production
Tsingshan may triple output at its Zimbabwe steel plant
25th August 2026 By: Bloomberg

Tsingshan Holding Group is considering as much as tripling output at a Zimbabwe steel plant it started in 2024, an expansion that could add to pressure on South Africa’s struggling steel industry... 


Canada Minister of Trade with the US Dominic LeBlanc
Canada says trade deal with US is 'very close,' more work needed
21st August 2026 By: Reuters

Canada and the US are "very close" to agreeing a trade deal that could help reduce months of tariffs and counter duties but more work remains to be done, a top Canadian official said on Thursday.... 


Iron-ore mine
China July iron-ore imports slide from June as thinning steel margins curb appetite
21st August 2026 By: Reuters

China's iron-ore imports in July slipped by 4% from the prior month, as some domestic steelmakers began equipment maintenance amid shrinking steel margins, curbing appetite for the key steelmaking... 


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pqt: 0.098s - ct: 0.153s - 275pq - 2rq
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