creamer media

Creamer Media’s ‘Steel 2025/6: Policies, Tariffs, and Survival’ report finds a steel sector under pressure globally and in South Africa, with the report’s main themes being market balance, trade policy, the companies under strain and prospects for recovery. Globally, the industry is still dealing with excess capacity, weak pricing and tighter trade restrictions, and while demand is recovering slowly decarbonisation demands continue to build. The report also highlights shifts in output, capacity growth, and demand patterns amid stronger protectionist measures, including higher tariffs and antidumping measures.

In South Africa, the sector is being squeezed by low demand, rising imports, and high electricity and logistics costs. Key focus areas include steel duties, progress under the Steel and Metal Fabrication Master Plan, and what ArcelorMittal South Africa’s longs wind-down means for jobs and supply chains amid funding pressure and the unresolved question of energy-price relief.

The report’s stainless steel section points to somewhat firmer demand, but local producers remain vulnerable to import pressure, power costs and looming carbon-border measures.

Looking ahead, the industry’s focus is on whether 2026 policy commitments will be put into action quickly enough to help stabilise production, lift infrastructure-led demand, and support both upstream and downstream steel players.

This report is a summary of information published in Engineering News and Mining Weekly, as well as of information available in the public domain over the past 12 months. The report does not purport to provide analysis of market trends.
 

The information in this report is correct as of February 5, 2026.

Published on 17 February 2026.