Indonesian state-owned steel giant PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk (IDX: KRAS, hereinafter referred to as "Krakatau") released its 2025 consolidated financial statements on March 31, 2026. On the surface, the company recorded a net profit of 339.6 million USD (approximately 5.68 trillion IDR), its best performance since 2019. However, unpacking the core steel business reveals that the steel segment's operating loss in 2025 actually widened from 40.79 million USD in 2024 to 102.5 million USD.

[SMM Steel] Hyundai-POSCO Louisiana Steel LLC appointed Danieli to supply equipment for a new integrated steel plant in the US focused on low-carbon automotive steel production. The project includes a 2.5 million tpy ENERGIRON® DRI plant designed for hydrogen use and carbon capture, along with two electric arc furnaces capable of producing 2.88 million tpy. Danieli will also provide slab casters, secondary metallurgy systems, and reheating furnaces compatible with natural gas and hydrogen blends to support future decarbonization targets.

The core logic of the South American steel market is that end-user demand drives everything. Consumption demand is the starting point, filled jointly by local production and imports; imports act as a regulating valve rather than a driving force.

[SMM Steel] JSW Steel and JFE Steel Corporation have officially formed JSW JFE Steel Limited, a 50:50 joint venture focused on an integrated steel plant in Odisha. The project, finalized on March 30, 2026, has an annual crude steel capacity of 4.5 mln mt and will produce both flat and long products for automotive and construction sectors. Backed by JFE’s investment of ~JPY 270 bn, the JV aims to capitalize on India’s strong demand growth, leveraging proximity to iron ore resources and established logistics to enhance cost efficiency and secure raw material supply.

【SMM Steel】SAIL's Durgapur Steel Plant selected SMS group for a turnkey modernization of its 2x6-strand, six-meter billet casters. The project converts machines to a seven-meter radius using existing foundations. Implementation occurs during ongoing ops, with each caster requiring a five-month shutdown. Caster #1 expected in Q4 2027, #2 in Q3 2028. Upgrades improve long product casting for rebar/wire rod, enable 150x150mm billet production, and provide a 60% output increase. The design adds 160mm round capabilities for future production. The initiative reduces costs and improves availability.

JSW Steel and South Korea’s POSCO have finalized a landmark joint venture to construct a 6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) integrated steel plant in Odisha, India. The greenfield project will focus on producing high-end flat products for the automotive and renewable energy sectors. The facility is expected to be fully operational by late 2028, leveraging POSCO’s advanced steelmaking technology and JSW’s domestic logistical network.