Turkey's Slab Imports Surge in 2024, Marking Significant Shifts in Suppliers
In 2024, Turkey's imports of slab, a key steel product used in the production of finished steel products, rose sharply, marking a 50% year-on-year increase. According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute, the total slab imports reached 4,089,960 metric tons in 2024, up from 2,718,018 metric tons in 2023. This growth comes at a time when Turkey continues to enhance its steel production capacity and further integrates into global trade networks.
Russia: The Largest Supplier Despite a Decline in Market Share
Russia remained Turkey's largest slab supplier in 2024, exporting 1,705,733 metric tons of slab, marking a 10% increase compared to 1,549,248 metric tons in 2023. Despite this growth in volume, Russia's market share has significantly declined, falling to 42% in 2024 from 57% in the previous year. This reduction in market share reflects a broader diversification in Turkey’s slab import sources.
Malaysia's Emergence as a Key Supplier
In 2024, Malaysia became the second-largest slab supplier to Turkey, with imports reaching 1,422,214 metric tons. This marks a dramatic increase in Malaysia’s slab market share, which jumped from just 14% in 2023 to 35% in 2024. This increase is largely attributed to the free trade agreement between Turkey and Malaysia, which allows Malaysia to supply slabs to Turkey duty-free, making Malaysian imports more competitive.
Indonesia Maintains Steady Growth
Indonesia, which maintained an 8% market share of Turkey's total slab imports, saw a 42% growth in its slab exports to Turkey, reaching 327,547 metric tons in 2024. While not experiencing as large an increase as Malaysia, Indonesia’s consistent supply remains an important component of Turkey’s diversified slab sources.
Noteworthy Growth from Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and New Suppliers
Saudi Arabia and Vietnam both experienced significant growth in their slab exports to Turkey in 2024. Saudi Arabia's slab exports to Turkey grew by 55%, while Vietnam’s slab exports surged by 82%. These increases indicate a growing role for countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia in meeting Turkey's rising demand for steel production inputs.
Additionally, Algeria and Libya entered Turkey's slab import market in 2024, contributing 4% and 1% of the total imports, respectively. Notably, Algeria's supply came from its first-ever slab-producing plant, and these slabs were supplied within the Tosyali Group, which is a prominent player in Turkey’s steel industry.
Oman also emerged as an unlikely source of slab imports, with its exports to Turkey growing by an impressive X% year-on-year. Though Oman is not traditionally known as a slab-producing nation, its 3% market share in 2024 demonstrates its rising role in the global slab trade.
Decline in Chinese and Indian Exports
On the flip side, China and India saw notable reductions in their slab exports to Turkey in 2024. China's exports dropped dramatically by 83%, while India's exports reduced by 13%. Despite this decrease in slab exports, China’s billet exports to Turkey surged dramatically to 533,276 metric tons in 2024, showing a shift in trade dynamics.
Other Countries' Reduced Role in Slab Exports to Turkey
A number of countries saw their presence in Turkey’s slab import market diminish or disappear altogether in 2024. Uzbekistan, Brazil, UAE, United Kingdom, South Korea, and Netherlands no longer supplied slabs to Turkey. Countries such as Uzbekistan and the UAE, which are not traditionally known for slab production, showed declines in their overall participation in Turkey's slab import market, as they were replaced by other rising suppliers.
Steel Contribution to Energy Independence: Sky Energy Chooses Metinvest-SMC Metal
Synopsis: Sky Energy, a Ukrainian family-owned business focusing on solar energy solutions, partners with Metinvest-SMC for high-quality galvanized steel to create durable structures for solar power stations, supporting Ukraine's energy independence goals.
Steel’s Role in Achieving Energy Independence in Ukraine
Energy independence is a critical goal for Ukraine’s consumers, businesses, and overall security, especially amidst ongoing geopolitical challenges. Ensuring energy autonomy provides confidence in the future and aligns with modern European technologies. One of the companies leading the charge in Ukraine’s pursuit of energy independence is Sky Energy. This family-owned enterprise specializes in providing solutions for solar energy, including the sale and installation of solar panels and the reliable structures needed for their installation.
Sky Energy: Paving the Path to Energy Autonomy
Sky Energy’s mission is clear: to help Ukrainian businesses and citizens become energy-independent. They achieve this by offering professional installation services for solar panel frameworks and providing consultations throughout every stage of the process—from initial inquiries to long-term operation. By fostering energy autonomy, Sky Energy is not only helping businesses grow but also ensuring a sustainable future for its clients.
The Need for High-Quality Metal: Metinvest-SMC’s Role
As with any production process, the manufacturing of solar energy systems requires high-quality materials. Sky Energy turned to Metinvest-SMC, a well-known supplier in the steel industry, for its premium galvanized steel coils. These coils are widely used in the creation of lightweight steel thin-walled structures, LSTK profiles, which are crucial components in building the frames for solar power stations.
The demand for galvanized steel arises from its corrosion-resistant properties, making it the ideal material for use in challenging weather conditions. Metinvest-SMC’s steel products contribute significantly to the durability and longevity of solar power infrastructure.
Benefits of Galvanized Steel in Solar Energy
The use of galvanized steel coils in solar energy production offers several advantages:
1. Strength: The profiles made from galvanized steel are highly resilient and can withstand significant loads, ensuring the stability of solar power station structures.
2. Lightweight: Galvanized steel profiles reduce the overall weight of the construction, simplifying installation and reducing transportation costs.
3. Cost-Effectiveness: Galvanized steel is an affordable alternative to stainless steel, offering excellent durability without the high price tag, making it ideal for large-scale energy projects.
4. Ease of Assembly: The simplicity of making and assembling frames from galvanized steel makes the installation process faster and more efficient.
5. Environmental Sustainability: Galvanized steel is recyclable, promoting sustainability within the solar energy sector by reducing waste and supporting circular economy practices.
Contribution to Long-Term Solar Energy Success
By incorporating galvanized steel into their designs, Sky Energy is able to ensure that their solar power station frames are not only durable but also efficient throughout their service life. The high-quality metal products from Metinvest-SMC contribute to creating solar energy solutions that are resilient, reliable, and cost-effective.
This partnership exemplifies how steel manufacturing plays a key role in Ukraine’s energy future. Through continued collaboration, the two companies aim to produce more materials that directly contribute to the country’s energy independence and future economic stability.
