Against the backdrop of the gradual recovery of the global economy, the international steel market will show many new changes and development trends in 2025. From the growth of China’s steel exports to the fluctuation of international steel prices, and to the strategic layout of major enterprises in the global market, the industry dynamics are diverse, injecting new vitality and challenges into the future development of the steel industry.
1、 The export volume of Chinese steel is steadily increasing, and its international market influence is improving
In the first quarter of 2025, China’s steel exports increased by 6.3% year-on-year, reaching 27.43 million tons, the highest level since the same period in 2016. This growth not only demonstrates the competitiveness of China’s steel industry in the global market, but also reflects the strong demand for Chinese steel in the international market. China Power Construction has signed two major combined cycle power plant projects in Saudi Arabia, further consolidating China’s position in the international steel engineering market and promoting the overseas application and promotion of steel products.
2、 Analysis of International Steel Price Trends: Significant Regional Differences
Recently, the international steel market prices have shown regional differences. In the Southeast Asian market, the prices of rebar in Malaysia and Indonesia remain stable, while the prices of hot-rolled coils in South Korea and India fluctuate slightly. In terms of the European and African markets, steel prices in Italy and Ukraine have shown varying degrees of fluctuations due to the regional economic environment and supply-demand relationship. In the West Asia market, the steel prices in Türkiye and Jordan are affected by geopolitical factors, and the price fluctuates frequently. Overall, global steel prices exhibit complex trends due to multiple factors such as supply and demand, exchange rate fluctuations, and policy adjustments.
3、 Global Steel Enterprise Strategic Layout: Coexistence of Cooperation and Competition
The cooperation and competition among international steel companies are becoming increasingly fierce. The cooperation between China Power Construction Corporation, Saudi Arabia International Power and Water Company (ACWA Power), and Korea Electric Power Company (KEPCO) marks a further expansion of Chinese enterprises in the international energy and steel engineering fields. At the same time, TechnipFMC has formed a strategic alliance with Cairn Oil Gas, India’s largest private exploration company, aimed at accelerating domestic oil and gas development in India and indirectly driving the growth of steel demand. Doosan Energy joins hands with China Power Construction to participate in Qatar’s energy project, showcasing South Korean companies’ active layout in the global energy transition. These strategic partnerships provide new impetus for the integration and development of the upstream and downstream industrial chains in the steel industry.
4、 Intelligent and Green Transformation of Steel Metallurgy Technology
With the advancement of technology, the steel and metallurgical industry is accelerating its transformation towards intelligence and greenness. The 16th China (Shanghai) International Iron and Steel Metallurgy Industry Automation Technology and Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment Exhibition (MTM EXPO 2025) will be held in December at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. The exhibition will gather well-known enterprises, universities, and research institutions in the global advanced manufacturing industry to showcase the latest iron and steel metallurgy automation technology and intelligent manufacturing equipment. This exhibition not only provides a platform for technical exchange and cooperation in the industry, but also promotes the innovative development of digitalization, informatization, and green low-carbon in the steel industry.
5、 Market Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite the positive development trend of the international steel market, it still faces many challenges. Fluctuations in raw material prices, intensified environmental policies, and international trade frictions all have profound impacts on the operations of steel companies. In the future, the steel industry needs to further strengthen technological innovation, improve production efficiency, optimize product structure to cope with market uncertainty. At the same time, enterprises should actively explore emerging markets, deepen international cooperation, enhance global competitiveness, and achieve sustainable development.
conclusion
In 2025, the international steel market will exhibit a complex and ever-changing development pattern under the interweaving of multiple factors such as demand growth, price fluctuations, corporate strategic layout, and technological innovation. With the continuous recovery of the global economy and the continuous advancement of industry technology, the steel industry will usher in new development opportunities and challenges. Each steel enterprise should keep up with market trends, grasp the pulse of development, and achieve long-term stable development.
Post time: Jun-26-2025