According to GMK Center’s roundtable "The Impact of CBAM on Ukraine's Economy and Metallurgy 2026-2030," as of March 31, 2026, Ukraine is once again emphasizing the need to keep scrap metal in the domestic market. This issue is gaining significance against the backdrop of stricter EU environmental regulations and the practical impact of the CBAM mechanism on Ukrainian producers. The discussion focused on the role of scrap as a key raw material for reducing CO2 emissions in steel production and boosting the competitiveness of Ukrainian metallurgy.
Why Scrap Metal is Gaining Strategic Importance
During the discussion, the government's decision to maintain a temporary zero quota for scrap exports was positively evaluated. This approach reflects the desire to preserve the resource for domestic processing, as using scrap in steel smelting significantly reduces the product's carbon footprint. Under CBAM, this is no longer just about raw material balance but is a core element of the country's industrial strategy.
Additional pressure comes from the actual cost of carbon regulation for exporters. According to estimates by Ukrainian companies, CBAM payments in some cases reach €50-80 per ton, significantly impacting the economics of supply. Another issue remains the non-recognition of Ukrainian emission verifiers by the EU, making the technical fulfillment of requirements even more complex.
Statistics also show that the scrap market remains sensitive. In 2025, scrap metal exports from Ukraine grew by 53% year-on-year to 448.68 thousand tons, following growth to 293.2 thousand tons in 2024. Poland remained the main external destination, accounting for over three-quarters of all shipments.
Impact on the Steel Market and Solutions from winox.ua
For the Ukrainian metal market, this discussion has a practical dimension: the availability of scrap metal within the country directly affects the cost of steel, investment in decarbonization, and the resilience of production chains. If domestic consumers gain better access to raw materials, it supports deeper processing and helps the industry adapt to new EU trade rules. At the same time, businesses need predictability not only regarding regulation but also physical supplies of metal products.
In this context, winox.ua, as a supplier of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, meets the needs of industrial clients for a stable and predictable supply of materials. The company builds its range around production tasks where continuity of supply, verified quality, and compliance with modern technical requirements are critical. For enterprises adapting to new decarbonization conditions and regulatory pressure, this becomes a vital part of operational stability.
Given the growing importance of low-carbon metallurgy, the demand for reliable industrial solutions continues to rise. This is why the market increasingly values partners capable of providing certified rolled metal and professional procurement support. In the medium term, the issues of scrap, CBAM, and access to high-quality metal products will remain interconnected for the entire Ukrainian metallurgical sector.