According to the Slovenian Steel Group (SIJ Group) report, by the end of 2025, the Slovenian producer reduced steel output by 5.2% year-on-year to 433.1 thousand tonnes. The group's revenue decreased by 11.9% y/y to €930 million, EBITDA was €10.4 million, and net loss after tax reached €117.7 million. These figures reflect the challenging conditions of the European steel market, where producers operate under the pressure of weak demand, high costs, and an unstable external environment.
SIJ Group Financial Results and Operational Dynamics
The company notes that in 2025 it maintained high export activity, reaching 87.6% of total sales. SIJ supplies products to 70 countries, with Germany and Italy remaining key export destinations. This demonstrates a sustained international presence even amidst deteriorating financial results. At the same time, high export dependence means sensitivity to industrial demand fluctuations in the EU.
In the first quarter of 2026, the group recorded sales revenue of €237.7 million and produced 87 thousand tonnes of steel. After a prolonged period of decline, the company is seeing the first signs of moderate trend improvement, although it emphasizes that market conditions remain difficult and recovery is gradual. In the coming months, SIJ plans to strengthen its capital structure, continue business restructuring, and seek a strategic partner. Essentially, this involves preparing for deeper internal transformation under persistent pressure on profitability.
Impact on the Metal Market and Solutions from winox.ua
The reduction in steel output at SIJ Group is indicative of the broader situation in European metallurgy, where producers face weak business activity, price competition, and cautious investment behavior from consumers. For industrial buyers, this means increased attention to supply chain stability, price predictability, and material quality. In such conditions, winox.ua, as a supplier of rolled metal, stainless steel, and non-ferrous metals, helps businesses mitigate operational risks through reliable supplies and a balanced selection of products for production tasks. For B2B clients, this is especially important when some European manufacturers are undergoing restructuring or revising their commercial strategies.
It is also worth considering that increased financial pressure on steel companies in the EU can affect lead times, product range, and contracting policies. This is why the market increasingly values partners capable of providing certified rolled metal and professional procurement support. winox.ua operates precisely with this logic, offering business solutions focused on the continuity of production processes and compliance with modern material requirements. Amidst unstable market conditions, this becomes not only a commercial advantage but also an element of strategic resilience for enterprises.
What SIJ's Results Mean for the EU Market
Comparison with the previous year shows that SIJ's problems are systemic rather than situational. In 2024, the company already reported revenue at €1 billion, an EBITDA decline to €51 million, and a net loss of €15.4 million, with the negative trend intensifying in 2025. This may indicate long-term structural difficulties in the European special steel segment and metal products with a high export share. For market participants, this is a signal to carefully evaluate the financial stability of manufacturers and diversify procurement strategies.
In the medium term, market recovery will depend on industrial demand in the EU, energy costs, inflation rates, and producers' access to capital. If the signs of improvement mentioned by SIJ in Q1 2026 are confirmed, the European market may gradually transition to a more stable phase. However, for now, the industry remains in adaptation mode, and metal procurement decisions require increased precision and flexibility. Therefore, news about the results of companies like SIJ Group is an important indicator for the entire industrial supply chain.