CBAM: The big dirty hole in the EU CO2 tax – Stainless Cappuccino
17 April 2023 – CBAM or the European Union Carbon Border Tax is an important component of the European Green Deal. Although the measure is supposed to contribute to a reduction of CO2 emissions, it is becoming more and more apparent that the EU’s own CO2-intensive industry, above all the EU steel manufacturers, are to be protected and given preferential treatment with obvious loopholes and hollow justifications that border on stupidity. But the green steel bubble could soon belong on the scrap heap.
Nickel Outlook January 2023: “It remains stormy” – The Stainless Cappuccino
6 January 2023 -After nickel on the London Metal Exchange (LME) had risen again by more than 17% from the end of November 2022 to 3 January 2023, the price had fallen on Wednesday and Thursday last week and had already turned positive again by more than 3% on Friday. High volatility has not only been a rarity for the battery and stainless steel raw material since March 2022 and the failed Tsingshan deal. And now, too, forces seem to have deliberately tried to influence prices again. An analysis.
Will the EU Safeguard measure be repealed in 2022? – Stainless Cappuccino
30 May 2022 – The current review of the EU Safeguard measure on certain steel products must be completed by 30 June 2022. So far so good, nothing unusual for the most important and largest market protection measure for EU steel producers. But, as with previous reviews, rumours are circulating that the Safeguard measure could be lifted because conditions have changed. But can the EU suspend Safeguard just like that? Have the conditions that led to the introduction of the measure really changed compared to 2019? Or is this just an attempt to cash in on wishful thinking?
Out of Nickel: Unnoticed, the raw material runs out – Stainless Cappuccino
In less than eight years, the Philippines will run out of nickel. Already in 2030, with the current Philippine production quantities and necessary increase quotas, no more nickel can be mined from currently known deposits due to the increasing demand. Deposits in Canada will run out as early as 2032. In 2034 in the United States. China’s turn comes in 2035, followed by Indonesia in 2036. And in 2039, Russia will also run out of nickel.
DRI: the wonder weapon in the battle for green steel – Stainless Cappuccino
It is all about the DRI. In the third part of our report on the Green Steel Lie, we would like to take a look at the miracle cure in the fight against CO2 emissions that exists alongside hydrogen: Direct Reduced Iron or DRI. Why it could lead us into a green future. What CBAM has to do with DRI and in the end green steel from clean hydrogen is just a pretext for a new market protection measure by the EC.
Green hydrogen: How to become European steel clean? – Stainless Cappuccino
The second part of our short series is about the numbers behind the green future from hydrogen promoted by the European Commission in relation to its own steel industry. We also pull in the analysis of the major consulting agency McKinsey and take a look at it. And also explore the question of where the blueprint or script for European green steel comes from.
CBAM: How to sell new steel tariffs with green hydrogen utopias – Stainless Cappuccino
The European Union is to become CO2 neutral by 2050. With its “Fit for 55” plans and the “European Green Deal”, the European Commission has set ambitious targets. 55% emission reduction by 2030 and CO2 neutral by 2050. In addition, the Carbon Border TAX CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) is still planned to intercept dirty products at the border to the EU and to impose a CO2 price.
EU Steel 2021: used by the lobby, not supported by reality – Stainless Cappuccino
On May 5, 2021, the European Commission (EC) published an update to its 2020 New Industrial Strategy. Under the motto: “Building a stronger Single Market for Europe’s recovery”, the Commission wants to lead Europe out of the crisis.
Surprisingly, hidden in the bowels of this strategy update was a Commission Staff Working Document (CSWD) entitled “Towards competitive and clean European steel”. Which, of course, we couldn’t help but take apart for you.
Jobs at risk: Terrible stainless steel shortage 2021 continues – Stainless Cappuccino
Aided by the Corona pandemic, serious structural problems in the global production, supply and distribution of steel and stainless steel have been evident since November 2020. European and American steel producers no longer manage (or do not want to manage) to fully supply their markets. In addition, the USA and EU have imposed strict import restrictions which make it almost impossible for most stainless steel purchasers to reliably buy material abroad.