One of our main services is the collection, processing and analysis of the following market data relevant to specialty steel: Raw material market developments (chrome, nickel, molybdenum, scrap; also: cobalt, titanium, vanadium, tungsten)

Economic situation in general and in the specialty steel consuming sectors (focus: automotive, mechanical and plant engineering, chemicals, construction)

Foreign trade: Imports and exports (EU-27) by stainless steel products (flat, long and tube products with differentiation by sub-products)

EHV stock statistics (quantitative sales and stock levels)

In recent years, foreign trade restrictions in the steel sector have increased significantly worldwide. As a result, many stainless steel products are now also affected by trade policy measures (anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties, and follow-up measures to safeguard measures). This poses particularly significant challenges for the European steel distribution sector with regard to imports from third countries. These entail business risks: in the event of a lack of information, every company faces the risk of having to pay substantial duties.

We are constantly on the ball in this regard, drawing on years of experience and a clear understanding of the risks facing our member companies: Continuous monitoring of international trade policy developments (trade press, EU sources, association bulletins).
Monitoring the successor regulations to the safeguard measures, which come into force on 1 July 2026: regular, timely reports on the current utilisation of the quotas.

The climate policy challenges facing the entire stainless steel industry have increased significantly. This applies to both production and distribution.

Particular focus is on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Following a transitional phase lasting several years, this mechanism entered its regular phase on 1 January 2026. As a result, all importers must now contend with genuine financial obligations.
We keep our member companies continuously informed about developments.

Here, too, we are there for our member companies to accompany the development in an advisory.

Member companies have the opportunity for personal contacts in a competitive space. We offer specialist group meetings, conferences and, along with the Informationsstelle Edelstahl Rostfrei (ISER) and the publishing house Focus Rostfrei, we are the organisers of the Düsseldorfer Edelstahltage, which has established itself as an important industry event.

We give lectures at events, accompany training courses and, if required, are also active directly on site at our member companies to impart knowledge.