The Netherlands increased steel production by 36.1% y/y in 2024

The steel industry in the Netherlands increased steel production by 36.1% in 2024 compared to 2023, to 6.4 million tons. Thus, the country ranked 26th in the global ranking of steel-producing countries (71), while in 2023 it was 33rd, according to World Steel.

The Netherlands has one operating steel plant, Tata Steel IJmuiden. Its capacity reaches 7.5 million tons of steel and 6.31 million tons of pig iron per year. Over the past 6 years, steel production in the country has been stable at 6-7 million tons, but in 2023 there was a significant decline, which was resolved in 2024, in particular:

• 2019 – 6.7 mln tons;
• 2020 – 6.1 million tons;
• 2021 – 6.6 million tons;
• 2022 – 6.1 million tons;
• 2023 – 4.7 million tons;
• 2024 – 6.4 million tons.

The sharp increase in steel production in the Netherlands last year was made possible by the resumption of blast furnace No. 6 at Tata Steel IJmuiden. In 2023, the company faced force majeure circumstances: after scheduled maintenance in March, the unit’s restart was postponed several times due to technical problems, which led to a significant reduction in production. However, on January 31, 2024, the blast furnace was restarted, allowing the company to gradually increase iron and steel production.

In addition, the industry’s recovery was driven by stabilized energy markets, an improved economic situation in the EU and growing demand for steel in key sectors such as automotive and construction. Thanks to these factors, the Netherlands not only returned to its usual production volumes but also showed one of the highest growth rates in Europe.

Overall, steel production in the European Union increased by 2.6% in 2024 compared to 2023 to 129.5 million tons. Global steel production for the year amounted to 1.84 billion tons, down 0.9% year-on-year.