Stainless Steel, A. Bettuzzi (Oiki): “Price stability expected until summer, then a possible rebound”

The global stainless steel market is growing increasingly unstable, caught between oversupply, new regulatory hurdles, and uncertainties around end-user demand. This was the key takeaway from the “Stainless Steel: Market and Outlook” conference held during the “Made in Steel” event, featuring insights from Alessandro Bettuzzi, CEO of Oiki Acciai Inossidabili Spa and Coordinator of the Inox Division at Assofermet. Bettuzzi highlighted price dynamics as a central issue, noting short-term stability. “ We foresee relatively steady prices over the next three months, despite a clear imbalance between excessive supply and still-muted demand. However, we expect a potential turnaround in the second half of the year, ,” he explained. A possible rebound in prices may be influenced by upcoming regulatory measures, some of which—like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)—are still under evaluation by the European Commission.One of the most impactful changes could be the introduction of the “Melted and Poured” rule, which establishes a product’s origin based on where the steel is melted, regardless of any subsequent transformations. “The most pressing issue,” Bettuzzi noted, “concerns demand evolution. Should certain environmental regulations currently under discussion—especially in the green sector—come fully into force without a coordinated political vision to safeguard the value chain, the industry risks a significant blow, with heavy consequences on final consumption. .” This concern is echoed across the sector, especially as the ecological transition threatens to rewrite the rules of the game. The conference also shed light on major transformations reshaping the entire value chain: from production, under pressure due to global competition distorted by subsidies and overcapacity, to distribution, which is now increasingly crowded with diverse operators, and downstream processing, particularly in key sectors such as automotive and white goods. Within this context, Oiki—operating since 1966 and now among Europe’s leading independent stainless steel distributors—continues to stand out thanks to its efficient logistics and strong drive toward innovation, while staying true to its founding values: quality, speed, and customisation. “Our role today,” Bettuzzi concluded, “ is to navigate with clarity in a hyper-competitive market, identifying weak signals before they evolve into waves of transformation. Flexibility will be our strength, innovation our direction.” .