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Europe in the Process of Green Transformation: Is the Steel Industry Ready for Carbon Adjustment at the Border?

The European Green Deal and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) bring about a game-changing transformation process in the steel industry. These policies to reduce the carbon footprint directly affect not only European Union countries but also all trading partners, including Türkiye. Low-carbon production is no longer just an environmental responsibility; it has also become a prerequisite for maintaining competitiveness, staying in the market and exporting.

While CBAM and the European Green Deal are forcing the steel industry to undergo a radical transformation, the Green Steel Panel, one of the standout sessions of Steel Summit 2025, will address the effects of this transformation on the industry in a multi-dimensional manner. From the European Union's environmental regulations to energy costs, from restrictions on steel scrap trade to international competitive pressure, many critical topics will be discussed by experts.

The panel aims to contribute to the development of sustainable strategies that will shape the future of the steel industry. The steps to be taken on the decarbonization journey, the challenges faced and the emerging opportunities will be discussed comprehensively in this session.

Prominent Themes of the Panel;

European Steel Market Outlook
The recent trends of consumption increases and decreases in the European steel sector will be analyzed. In addition, the expected changes in steel demand in the coming years and the economic, commercial and technological reasons behind these changes will be discussed. Recent increases and decreases in steel prices will be discussed, together with the reasons for the price trends. In addition, the possible future directions of prices and their impact on the sector will be evaluated.

Position of European Steel Scrap Exports in the Global Market
The position of European steel scrap exports in the global market and the impact of export restrictions on the circular economy will be the subject of discussion. The interaction between European scrap supply and global steel prices and the impact of scrap costs on production processes will be discussed. Changes in global steel scrap demand and supply, as well as price fluctuations, will be discussed, especially in emerging markets.

Competition and Economic Challenges in the European Region
The competitive challenges and economic pressures faced by the European steel industry in international markets will be examined in depth. The negative impact of high energy costs on production processes and the steps that can be taken to reduce these costs will be discussed. The strategies of European producers to compete with low-cost competitors and the improvements that can be made to achieve sustainability goals will be evaluated.

EU Policies and Regulations
The European Union's policies and tariff/quota practices for the steel sector will be analyzed. In addition, the impact of the Green Deal on the sector, the measures taken to reduce carbon emissions and the opportunities and challenges in this transformation process will be discussed. The EU's steel trade regulations, their implications for steel producers and their long-term effects will be discussed.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
The impact of CBAM on developing countries and the challenges they may face in adapting to the mechanism will be discussed, and the possible effects of this transformation process on steel production capacity, export strategies and price dynamics in emerging markets will be evaluated.

Opening Speech
Stanislav Zinchenko – CEO, GMK Center / Ukraine

Moderator
Muammer Bilgiç – Executive Board Member, Bilecik Demir Çelik / Türkiye

Panelists

• Alessandro Sciamarelli – Market Analyst Director, EUROFER / Belgium
• Fatih Gökçe – CSO, Diler Holding A.Ş. / Türkiye
• Tuğba Çimenci – Managing Partner, Flatsteel Hub / Italy
• Josu Pina Bilbao – VP of Business Development & Commercial Transformation, SSAB / Spain
• Tayfun İşeri – Board Member, EUROMETAL / Türkiye
• Tsanislav Kolev – Director of Business Development and Decarbonization, NLMK Europe / Belgium

This session is of great importance both for exporting companies to shape their strategies and to transform their environmental responsibilities into sustainable investments.

Who is Attending?

• Steel producers and traders
• Raw material and scrap suppliers
• Technology and innovation leaders
• Steel service centers
• Logistics and finance experts
• Industry leaders, decision makers and investors