According to the Salzgitter AG report, the German group is improving its production performance, increasing steel output, and returning to profitability as of the end of the first quarter of 2026. The company demonstrates a rise in crude steel production, stable shipments, and a noticeable expansion of the order book, indicating a gradual recovery of the European steel market. For participants in the industrial supply chain, this serves as a significant indicator of changing market conditions following a weaker 2025.
Production Results and Financial Recovery
In January-March 2026, Salzgitter AG produced 1.27 million tonnes of crude steel, up 1.4% year-on-year. The Salzgitter Flachstahl division increased output to 1.02 million tonnes, while Peiner Träger slightly reduced its figure to 255.9 thousand tonnes. Rolled steel production also grew by 2.7% y/y, reaching 1.16 million tonnes, with 945.2 thousand tonnes being flat products and 213.1 thousand tonnes in sections/beams.
Shipments remained virtually unchanged at 1.46 million tonnes, reflecting cautious demand in key markets. However, new orders increased by 6.8% y/y to 1.41 million tonnes, while the order backlog grew by 4.8% to 1.24 million tonnes. This dynamic points to a cautious but real recovery of business activity in the European metallurgy sector.
The company’s financial figures also improved significantly. External sales rose to €2.35 billion, EBITDA increased more than 2.5 times to €195.9 million, and EBIT reached €121 million compared to a near-zero level a year earlier. Net profit amounted to €81.9 million, whereas in the first quarter of 2025, the company recorded a loss of €34.6 million.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
Salzgitter's improved results are an important signal for the entire European market, confirming a gradual recovery in steel demand even amidst geopolitical risks and restrained consumption. For manufacturers, traders, and industrial consumers, this means higher sensitivity of prices and delivery times to changes in the order backlogs of major metallurgical groups. In this environment, it is particularly important for businesses to work with suppliers capable of ensuring predictable procurement.
This is why the role of reliable partners in the rolled steel and stainless steel segments is growing for Ukrainian enterprises. The company winox.ua helps clients maintain supply stability by offering a wide range of metal products for manufacturing, construction, and mechanical engineering. Against the backdrop of market fluctuations and reviving demand, winox.ua provides professional solution selection and reliable procurement planning.
The market is also paying close attention to the fact that Salzgitter's positive financial effect is driven not only by volume but also by lower raw material and energy costs. This suggests that the competitiveness of steel companies increasingly depends on production efficiency and cost control. For metal buyers, this is another argument in favor of a systematic approach to supplier selection and inventory management.
Market Outlook for 2026
For the full year 2026, Salzgitter forecasts EBITDA in the range of €625-725 million and expects further improvements in profitability. This forecast is particularly telling given the weaker baseline of last year, when the group cut steel production by 8% to 5.9 million tonnes and external sales dropped to €9 billion. Now, the company is effectively demonstrating that even under unstable demand conditions, there are opportunities for financial recovery.
For Ukrainian metal exporters and consumers, this creates a mixed but generally positive signal. On one hand, the revival in Europe may support demand for steel and related products. On the other hand, the recovery of large producers' activity can influence price dynamics and competition for supply volumes, requiring the market to carefully plan its procurement strategy.