Posted on 24 Feb 2026
Japan's Nippon Steel has announced a JPY 5,000/tonne ($32/t) price increase for H-beams for February contracts.
This applies to cargoes sold through general distribution channels and for project-related orders, with the steelmaker citing rising raw material and operating costs, Kallanish notes.
This adjustment marks the first hike for spot market sales in five months and the first increase for project-based orders since November 2023, local market sources note.
Despite the hike, demand for H-beams remains sluggish, particularly in the construction sector, where project activity has slowed.
In response, Nippon Steel says it will continue to reduce shipment volumes to the general distribution market, maintaining a policy of cutting allocations by around 50% compared with December 2025 levels.
Source:Kallanish
