4 August 2025 – With just a few months to go before its launch, the EU CBAM measure is still far from ready. The Gerber Group, in cooperation with the EU Parliament, has now succeeded in getting the Commission to officially address the missing CBAM benchmark values. Raw materials: US aluminium premiums at new record high, SHFE stainless steel futures rose in July.
US aluminium premiums rise to new record high
Aluminium premium duty paid US Midwest, which had been rising steadily in recent months since the announced increase in US Section 232 tariffs to 50%, reached a new record high last week. Aluminium premiums rose to USD 1557.56/MT and USD 0.7065/lb, respectively. This represents an increase of 4.4% compared to the previous week.
SHFE stainless steel futures rose in July 2025
Prices for stainless steel futures on the Asian commodity exchange SHFE rose in July. The SS2508 contract rose by 2.0%, while the SS2509 rose by 2.1%.
Molybdenum prices rise again
Prices for molybdenum, an important raw material in steel and stainless steel production (e.g. 316L), rose significantly last month. Molybdenum contracts on the European commodity exchange LME rose by almost 9% last month and stood at almost USD 53,200/MT at the end of July.
The reasons for the significant price increase include possible supply bottlenecks due to an accident at a copper-molybdenum mine in Inner Mongolia.
Taiwanese stainless steel manufacturers expect market recovery
At the end of July, several Taiwanese stainless steel manufacturers issued a more optimistic outlook for the coming weeks. According to various reports, not only have prices stabilised, but market sentiment has also improved. One manufacturer also expects a further market recovery in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Missing CBAM Benchmark values: EU Parliament demands clarification
Without the nearly 600 CBAM benchmark values for calculating CO2 costs, all European companies importing CBAM goods will face legal and financial consequences from 1 January 2026.
From 1 January 2026, all EU companies affected by the European Carbon Border Tax CBAM will have to pay a CO2 price on imports. In addition to data on manufacturers’ CO2 emissions, this also requires the so-called CBAM benchmark values. However, these nearly 600 CBAM benchmark values and default values have not yet been published and, according to the EU Commission, will not be available before spring 2026. This poses considerable legal and financial difficulties for all affected companies.
Official inquiry on CBAM values from the EU Parliament
The Gerber Group has repeatedly raised this important issue with the Commission and Parliament in recent weeks and months. An important milestone has now been achieved in cooperation with the EU Parliament. The Commission is now faced with an official inquiry into the CBAM benchmark values and the resulting difficulties for European companies and must officially state how it intends to resolve this issue.
Thorsten Gerber, CEO of the Gerber Group, said today: ‘We would like to thank everyone involved in the EU Parliament for recognising the seriousness of the situation and for their strong commitment to small and medium-sized enterprises in particular.’ He went on to say: ‘All importing SMEs need immediate clarity on these missing values, or CBAM must be stopped until further notice. Anything else would be unacceptable negligence on the part of the European Commission and a threat to the entire EU economy!’
Latest news
- Section 232 tariffs on copper: Based on steel and aluminium
- Copper imports now also affected by US Section 232 tariffs
- France calls on EU to take action on steel
We at the Gerber Group have been trading in stainless steel worldwide for over 20 years. We are your experts when it comes to purchasing, import, logistics and services. Information is a vital part of this. Because only then can you and we make the right decisions. Do you have any questions? Contact us now.
Disclaimer: Many things here represent our opinion. Others are information from the Internet. We can therefore never claim to be correct or complete. And never base a business decision solely on the news you receive from us.
