France reduced steel production by 12% y/y in August

In August 2025, French steel enterprises reduced steel production by 12% compared to August 2024, to 750 thousand tons. Thus, the country ranks 19th in the WorldSteel Association’s global ranking of steel-producing countries (70).

Compared to the previous month, smelting volumes decreased by 6.3%.

During January-August, the industry produced 6.54 million tons of steel, which is 8.3% less than in January-August last year. Average monthly steel production fell to 818,100 tons compared to 892,100 tons a year earlier.

Overall, EU steelmakers reduced steel production by 2.8% y/y in August 2025 – to 8.8 million tons, and by 3.7% y/y in January-August – to 84.5 million tons.

It should be recalled that at the end of 2024, French steel companies increased steel production by 7.6% compared to 2023, to 10.76 million tons. The indicator recovered after a significant drop of 17.5% in 2023.

Average monthly steel production in 2024 amounted to 896,250 tons, while in 2023 these volumes amounted to 833,000 tons, and in 2022 – 1.01 million tons.

There are 11 steel enterprises in France, including ArcelorMittal Dunkerque (2.25 million tons of steel per year), Saarstahl Ascoval Saint-Saulve (730 thousand tons per year), LME Trith-Saint-Léger (820 thousand tons per year), Ascometal Hagondange (825,000 tons/year), Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850,000 tons/year), Riva Sam Montereau (720,000 tons/year), Riva Alpa Gargenville (700,000 tons/year), Riva Iton Seine Bonnieres Sur Seine (550,000 tons/year), Celsa France Boucau (1.2 million tons/year), ArcelorMittal Méditerranée Fos sur Mer (2.55 million tons/year), Ascometal Fos Sur Mer (900,000 tons/year). The total capacity of steel production plants reaches 12.09 million tons per year.