Overview

• German crude steel output plunged 11.8% to 17.1 million tonnes in the first half of 2025, matching levels last seen during the 2009 financial crisis.
• Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl revised its full-year forecast to a record-low 29 million tonnes, underscoring the sector’s steep downturn.
• Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe plans to shrink its workforce from 27,000 to 16,000 by 2030 through capacity reductions, job cuts and asset sales.
• Salzgitter AG lowered its 2025 revenue forecast to €9.0–9.5 billion and trimmed its EBITDA outlook to €300–400 million after a weak second quarter.
• Industry leaders have called for a high-level steel summit to negotiate stronger trade defenses and secure lower electricity costs.