- Indonesian slab exports to Italy reached 330,000 t
- Slabs gain attention amid EU trade restrictions
Indonesian stainless steel slab exports to Europe, particularly Italy, are gaining attention as EU trade measures continue to restrict direct imports of Indonesian finished stainless steel products. Industry sources indicate that Indonesia exported around 330,000 tons of stainless steel slabs to Italy last year, while shipments to the EU have already exceeded 123,000 tons this year.
EU trade measures drive slab interest
The growing interest in Indonesian slabs comes amid EU anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duties on Indonesian stainless steel products. Hot-rolled and cold-rolled stainless steel products face trade restrictions, with cold-rolled products also subject to countervailing duties, increasing the tariff burden on direct imports.
However, stainless steel slabs are currently outside the scope of these AD measures, making them an increasingly important semi-finished product in the European supply chain.
Italy emerges as key slab destination
European producers, particularly in Italy, are reportedly importing Indonesian stainless steel slabs and processing them locally into hot-rolled or cold-rolled products.
This supply route allows European mills to access Indonesian semi-finished material while avoiding the trade duties applicable to direct imports of Indonesian finished products. The practice is distinct from changing the country of origin of finished Indonesian steel.
Melt & Pour rules to add traceability
The EU’s Melt & Pour origin certification system, scheduled to take effect from 1 October, will require information on where steel was originally melted and cast for products covered by the new import regulations.
Indonesian slabs processed into finished products elsewhere would therefore retain Indonesia as the melt-and-pour origin. However, stainless steel slabs themselves are currently excluded from the relevant regulated product categories, meaning the new requirement does not directly restrict slab imports.
Future regulations remain a market concern
Market participants are closely watching whether the EU could tighten regulations in the future by using Melt & Pour information to scrutinise potential circumvention through third-country processing.
For now, Indonesian stainless steel slabs remain an important alternative supply route into Europe, particularly as direct Indonesian finished steel imports face trade restrictions. The continued expansion of slab shipments to Italy and other EU markets, along with evolving EU traceability requirements, will remain key areas to watch for the global stainless steel market.
Note: This article is published as part of a content exchange agreement between SteelDaily and BigMint.
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