Podcast: Could UK Metals Expo bring ‘positive news’ for steel industry?

The UK Metals Expo could bring positivity to a sector challenged by difficult trading conditions, domestic steelmakers in crisis and divided opinions over trade defence.

That was the view of panellists on the latest episode of MEPS’s Speaking of Steel podcast. Steel market analysts Adam Crookes and Jon Carruthers-Green joined MEPS managing editor Tom Sharpe to reflect on key industry topics that will be discussed at the annual event, taking place at the NEC Birmingham, on September 10-11.  

The price of many steel products assessed in MEPS’s European Steel Review remained stable, at low levels, during August, with rebar and wire rod sitting at four-year lows. But as subdued demand defined Europe and the United Kingdom’s summer holiday period, Carruthers-Green highlighted that there was no shortage of talking points. 

“In April, we had the near closure of British Steel,” he said. “More recently, we’ve heard the news about Liberty Steel UK (Speciality Steels division) going into administration. 

“We’ve had bad news and some confusing news as well, with changes to the UK safeguards that were announced literally 12 hours before they came into effect. So, hopefully an event like this gives the chance to hear some more positive news.” 

At last year’s UK Metals Expo, Tata Steel UK announced a GBP500 million government investment that would facilitate low-emissions, EAF-based production at its operations at Port Talbot, South Wales. MEPS’s Speaking of Steel podcast team interviewed the steelmaker’s chief executive, Rajesh Nair, shortly after the announcement.   

MEPS will share interviews and insight from this year’s event via its Speaking of Steel podcast, making it available to subscribers. 

The latest episode of MEPS’s Speaking of Steel podcast is available via YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Watch now to hear the 20-minute discussion, which covers:

• Sentiment in a challenging UK steel market
• Market participants’ response to new UK import safeguard measures
• How US import tariffs have intensified calls for tighter trade defence measures
• The importance of aligning UK and EU emissions trading schemes to minimise CBAM disruption
• MEPS’s presence at the UK Metals Expo 2025 

MEPS’s head of price analysis and forecasts, Kaye Ayub, will host two panel discussions at the upcoming UK Metal Expo. Focussed on the carbon steel and stainless steel markets, these discussions will take place on the event’s Supply Chain, Trade & Policy Theatre. Each will feature a panel of four industry experts, as previously reported by MEPS. 

Carruthers-Green said that attendees at next week’s UK Metals Expo will be “there to learn and to share”, adding that he was looking forward to engaging with visitors at the MEPS stand, B44. MEPS researchers will be in attendance, sharing insight on steel prices, forecasts and global market trends. 

Crookes said that he was hopeful the event could bring some positivity following months of subdued demand in a challenging market.  

“Times have been tough in the steel market,” he said. “It’s been pretty stagnant in terms of demand, except perhaps in some niche sectors. 

“But generally, when people come together, they are a bit optimistic and hopefully that will help to generate a bit of activity as we move into the autumn.”