The Ukrainian coated steel market continued its recovery in 2025 – Metipol

In 2025, the Ukrainian coated steel market continued to recover, although it has not yet returned to pre-war consumption levels. According to Metipol estimates, apparent consumption of hot-dip galvanized steel (HDG) increased to 292,000 tons, up 39% year-on-year, while consumption of polymer-coated steel (PPGI) stabilized at 303,000 tons, adding 2% year-on-year. The PPGI segment exceeded 300,000 tons for the first time since 2022.

Imports were the main driver of growth in the galvanized steel segment. Domestic HDG production in 2025 increased to 80,000 tons, but the share of Ukrainian producers in apparent consumption decreased to 27.3% from 34.8% a year earlier. This indicates a faster increase in external supplies than in domestic production. According to the company’s data, Turkey accounted for the largest share of HDG consumption in 2025 – 59%, while Ukrainian producers accounted for 27% and EU countries – 7%.

The polymer-coated steel segment demonstrated stronger positions for Ukrainian producers. PPGI production increased to 116,000 tons, and the share of domestic companies in the market grew to 38.2% from 30.2% in 2024. Metipol characterizes this dynamic as record-breaking, noting that painted rolled products are not only recovering but also gradually replacing imports. At the same time, in the structure of PPGI consumption, the share of Ukrainian products was 38%, the EU – 33%, Vietnam, South Korea, and Turkey – 8% each.

Among the key trends of the year, Metipol also highlights the strengthening role of Turkish galvanized steel, which has become the basis for Ukrainian profile manufacturers due to its combination of price and logistical speed. At the same time, the global coated steel market is increasingly shifting towards environmental friendliness, technological efficiency, and localization of production closer to the consumer.

It should be noted that, in 2025, 1.09 million tons of flat rolled steel were supplied to the Ukrainian market, which is 10.7% more than in 2024. Approximately 50% of imports were coated flat products – 532.8 thousand tons, which is 13.7% more than in 2024. Another 31.6% of supplies, or 344.28 thousand tons (+0.9% y/y), were hot-rolled flat products.

The cost of flat steel imports increased by 4.9% y/y – to $1.13 billion at the end of the year.