Stainless cold-finished bars and rods market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cold-finished stainless steel bars and rods in Germany experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 166 500 t in 2018, it fell sharply to 126 800 t in 2019 and further to 96 700 t in 2020. A strong recovery followed in 2021, lifting the market to 134 900 t, before it nearly stabilized at 133 300 t in 2022. The latter part of the period saw another contraction, with volume dropping to 97 300 t in 2023 and 94 500 t in 2024.

The decline in market volume in 2023 and 2024 coincided with notable industry shifts. Outokumpu's restructuring plans, which included closing the Hockenheim plant by mid-2024, contributed to a reduction in domestic production capacity. Concurrently, the European Union's adjustment of tariff quotas for certain steel products from January 1, 2024, impacted import flows. Regulatory pressures mounted with the introduction of the Building Energy Act (GEG), mandating renewable energy use in heating, and the upcoming NIS2 cybersecurity directive, adding compliance costs for producers. At the same time, major player Acerinox strengthened its position through the acquisition of Haynes International in early 2024. These factors, alongside global challenges like rising scrap prices due to logistics disruptions, exerted downward pressure on the market.

Production stainless cold-finished bars and rods in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of stainless cold-finished bars and rods declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 215.3 million US dollars, down 19.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 21.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.7%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 312.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany's production of stainless cold-finished bars and rods dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 40,895 tonnes were produced, a decrease of 24.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production declined by 32.3%, with an annualized rate of 12.2%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 60,950 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports stainless cold-finished bars and rods from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of stainless cold-finished bars and rods from Germany fell for the second year running. In 2020, Germany exported 71.1 thousand tonnes, a moderate reduction of 3.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.8%, with an annualized decline of 3.0%. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 80.6 thousand tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2019 at 8.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 3.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

An analysis of export volumes from 2017 to 2020 reveals a wide distribution across many markets. The United States accounted for 11.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 9.2%, and Poland for 8.8%. Together, these three countries made up 29.3% of total flows, with the remaining 70.7% going to a diverse range of other partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's export value of stainless cold-finished bars and rods declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 324.7 million US dollars, down 5.7% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 385.5 million US dollars. The largest decrease was in 2019 at 10.7%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The country composition of export values from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. The United States contributed 10.3% of export value, Poland 8.0%, and the United Kingdom 7.7%. Combined, these three countries represented just 26.0% of total flows, with the remaining 74.0% distributed among a broad array of other destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports stainless cold-finished bars and rods to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of stainless cold-finished bars and rods into Germany decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany imported 126.9 thousand tonnes, a drop of 13.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 24.4%, with an annualized decline rate of 8.9%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 186.1 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 21.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy was the largest contributor to import volumes with 33.5%, followed by Spain at 20.5% and India at 10.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 64.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's import value of stainless cold-finished bars and rods declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 426.3 million US dollars, reflecting a 17.6% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports dropped by 19.7%, with an annualized rate of 7.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 672.9 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019 at 23.1%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 26.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Italy was the top supplier by value with 32.9%, Spain followed with 20.6%, and France with 10.4%. These three countries together formed 63.9% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020