Market developments
As of July 1, the new Tariff Rate Quota system of the EU has come into effect. It brought several surprises, with 70% of quotas already exhausted after just five days. Moreover, actual import duties differed substantially from expectations. As quotas are allocated by product and origin, duty-free capacity may still be available for the same product from alternative sources. It remains too early to identify clear patterns in import behavior. Sourcing decisions and quota utilization are expected to settle over the coming quarters.
In the last weeks, steel prices have risen. Reduced import volumes and rising import costs contribute to the upward price pressure. Other factors adding to this pressure are decarbonization requirements, CBAM, attacks on Ukrainian steel mills, the slow expansion of EU steelmaking capacity and insolvencies at some European pipe and steel producers. Geopolitical tensions, higher energy and transport costs add further uncertainty. On the other hand, the weak demand for steel and high inventories in the supply chain restrain strong price increases.
November 2026
Price development of hot-rolled coil
Price development of scrap
Sustainability news
Steel mills continue to invest in sustainable production methods to decrease their CO2 emissions. Recently, Dillinger Hütte started its Power4Steel Decarbonization Project, the largest in Europe. Investments concern a new Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), a Direct Reduced Iron plant (DRI) and a shift to electricity and hydrogen as energy source. It aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 2030 with 55%, which equals an annual CO2 reduction of 4.8 million tons.
ArcelorMittal is building a 2-million-tonne EAF at its Dunkirk site in France that will replace an existing blast furnace, cutting its emissions by about 25%.
In the north of Sweden, a new integrated EAF-DRI steel mill fed by green hydrogen is being built. For the production of the green hydrogen, already available green energy sources such as hydropower are used.
Availability and delivery times
Due to the modest market demand, delivery times are still normal and availability of steel tubes, fittings and flanges is good. Delivery times for new seamless tubes, however, already run into 2027.
Transport Cost
The war in the Middle East and the disruptions on the Strait of Hormuz continue to cause price increases for oil, gasoline and other fuels. This leads to an ongoing price pressure for transport, both by truck and by sea.
Price developments of carbon steel products
Welded tubes
The slow upward price trend for hot rolled coils, of which welded tubes are made, will continue at least until this year’s end. The main drivers for the upward price pressure are the higher energy cost for production and transport. Despite the import restricting EU measures, availability is still sufficient due to the weak demand. Major price increases, therefore, are not expected.
Seamless tubes
Distributors and end users have been stocking up prior to the new TRQ, as could be seen in the very high import volumes before July 1. They equaled the whole year total of 2025. Therefore, competition in stock business is heavy with prices under pressure. For projects or special customer demands requiring new seamless tubes to be purchased now, prices do go up. Mills for seamless tubes report being well booked and announce or implement higher prices.
Fittings and Flanges
Producers of fittings and flanges are trying to raise their prices due to the increased price levels of raw materials (billets), energy and transport, but the lack of demand is making that very hard. In the coming months, prices are expected to rise further as energy, freight, labour and raw-material costs increase, compounded by the new TRQ system.
Royal Van Leeuwen More than tubes.
Van Leeuwen Buizen Groep B.V.
Adres:
Telefoon:
E-mail:
Lindtsedijk 120, 3336 LE Zwijndrecht
078 625 25 25
vlptg@vanleeuwen.nl
Van Leeuwen
More than tubes.
Lindtsedijk 100, 3336 LE Zwijndrecht, Netherlands
+31 78 625 25 25
sales@vanleeuwen.nl
www.vanleeuwen.com
P. van Leeuwen Jr.'s Buizenhandel B.V.
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Web:
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© Royal Van Leeuwen 2026
Steel mills continue to invest in sustainable production methods to decrease their CO2 emissions. Recently, Dillinger Hütte started its Power4Steel Decarbonization Project, the largest in Europe. Investments concern a new Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), a Direct Reduced Iron plant (DRI) and a shift to electricity and hydrogen as energy source. It aims to reduce its CO2 emissions by 2030 with 55%, which equals an annual CO2 reduction of 4.8 million tons.
ArcelorMittal is building a 2-million-tonne EAF at its Dunkirk site in France that will replace an existing blast furnace, cutting its emissions by about 25%.
In the north of Sweden, a new integrated EAF-DRI steel mill fed by green hydrogen is being built. For the production of the green hydrogen, already available green energy sources such as hydropower are used.
Transport Cost
The war in the Middle East and the disruptions on the Strait of Hormuz continue to cause price increases for oil, gasoline and other fuels. This leads to an ongoing price pressure for transport, both by truck and by sea.
Sustainability news
Availability and delivery times
Due to the modest market demand, delivery times are still normal and availability of steel tubes, fittings and flanges is good. Delivery times for new seamless tubes, however, already run into 2027.
Price developments of carbon steel products
Welded tubes
The slow upward price trend for hot rolled coils, of which welded tubes are made, will continue at least until this year’s end. The main drivers for the upward price pressure are the higher energy cost for production and transport. Despite the import restricting EU measures, availability is still sufficient due to the weak demand. Major price increases, therefore, are not expected.
Seamless tubes
Distributors and end users have been stocking up prior to the new TRQ, as could be seen in the very high import volumes before July 1. They equaled the whole year total of 2025. Therefore, competition in stock business is heavy with prices under pressure. For projects or special customer demands requiring new seamless tubes to be purchased now, prices do go up. Mills for seamless tubes report being well booked and announce or implement higher prices.
Fittings and Flanges
Producers of fittings and flanges are trying to raise their prices due to the increased price levels of raw materials (billets), energy and transport, but the lack of demand is making that very hard. In the coming months, prices are expected to rise further as energy, freight, labour and raw-material costs increase, compounded by the new TRQ system.
Price development of hot-rolled coil
Price development of scrap
Market developments
As of July 1, the new Tariff Rate Quota system of the EU has come into effect. It brought several surprises, with 70% of quotas already exhausted after just five days. Moreover, actual import duties differed substantially from expectations. As quotas are allocated by product and origin, duty-free capacity may still be available for the same product from alternative sources. It remains too early to identify clear patterns in import behavior. Sourcing decisions and quota utilization are expected to settle over the coming quarters.
In the last weeks, steel prices have risen. Reduced import volumes and rising import costs contribute to the upward price pressure. Other factors adding to this pressure are decarbonization requirements, CBAM, attacks on Ukrainian steel mills, the slow expansion of EU steelmaking capacity and insolvencies at some European pipe and steel producers. Geopolitical tensions, higher energy and transport costs add further uncertainty. On the other hand, the weak demand for steel and high inventories in the supply chain restrain strong price increases.
© Royal Van Leeuwen 2026
Royal Van Leeuwen More than tubes.
Lindtsedijk 120, 3336 LE Zwijndrecht
078 625 25 25
vlptg@vanleeuwen.nl
November 2026
