The Chromium 2025 conference in Seville demonstrated the dynamism and resilience of the European chromium industry, strongly driven by stainless and specialty steel sectors and advanced downstream uses.

Despite the European stainless steel market share having declined in recent decades in favour of Asian competitors, the European sector has demonstrated its ability to maintain its position at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Europe’s stainless steel and chromium-related industry is a key driver of competitiveness, employment, manufacturing output and innovation in the EU, and as such, it holds a strategic importance for the EU economy.

Over these 3 days together we have explored the following topics

• How geopolitics may redefine trade and demand,

• How leaders navigate volatility,

• Why sustainability ambitions must not be scaled back,

• Whether chromium should be classified as a critical and strategic raw material, and

• What market and regional outlooks tell us about the road ahead.

The event was attended by 220 delegates from across the world, with a strong EU presence. Chromium 2025 has received sponsorship from its long-standing members Acerinox and Cometal S.A., as well as from Fives. One of the event’s key highlights was the Acerinox Europa technical tour, which provided 70 delegates from across the world with the opportunity to observe the manufacturing process for stainless steel flat products and several steps of the production process, including both hot and cold rolling processes.

We had the privilege of hearing Bernardo Velázquez, CEO of Acerinox, deliver a welcoming address in which he recalled the long-standing friendship and support of Acerinox to the International Chromium Development Association, of which Acerinox has been a member since 1989. He reminded the audience that stainless steel was first invented in Europe in the early 20th century and expressed his confidence in Europe’s continued role as a pioneering and innovative industrial leader.

The Keynote by Andy Rothman as well as the Leaders Talk were also major highlights of the Chromium 2025 conference with a room full of participants eager to learn from these experts who set the tone for the following sessions. 

Will Trump make China Great again? Listening at Andy Rothman expertly deciphered the Trump-Xi dialogue, reflecting thoughtful analysis and precision, the answer should be YES.

• While the decisions made by Trump indicate a certain degree of instability, Xi remains consistent and committed to his long-term vision for China. The country is committed to maintaining harmonious relationships as a key driver of economic development.

• China will keep up its sustainability goals, these represent significant opportunities for innovation, economic development, and enhancing the quality of life for both Chinese citizens and the global community.

• China remains open for business and to funds scientific research and innovation.

• China will remain the world’s second-largest and fastest-growing consumer market as well as a key part of global supply chains. The country will continue to account for more than 20% of global economic growth.

Key Takeaways from the Leaders Talk

We were privileged to welcome on stage some of the most prominent industry leaders who provided their views on how they navigate current times. We warmly thank Nadia Maguire (Valterra Platinum), Lydia Yuan (Xin Gang Lian), Phoevos Pouroulis (Tharisa Minerals), Bernardo Velázquez (Acerinox), Robert Yildirim (CoreX Holding BV) and Zhong Chen (Samchrome).

• South Africa needs to implement ambitious reforms to provide a reassuring environment to investors as well as to support its ferroalloys industry. The country will continue to play a key role in international chromium markets.

• The European stainless steel industry is set to be bolstered by the EU’s steel safeguard measures, underscoring the importance of Europe’s reliance on its domestic stainless steel production. This reliance is crucial from both a strategic and economic standpoint.

• China’s industry development over the past two decades has been commendable. However, the country’s demand for raw materials and rapid capacity development have had a significant impact on the global industry, leading to a critical juncture.

Sustainability is set to increasingly drive the chromium industry resilience and development!

The panel discussion was brilliantly moderated by Cecilia Mattea, European Lead, IRMA (Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance). We were pleased to welcome a diverse range of experts and we thank them for sharing their views and knowledge: Tim Collins (worldstainless), Fabrice Gautier (Forvia), Dr Sebastian Kreft (Metalshub), Dirk Radermacher (ICDA ESG Chairperson), Toktar Turbay (LME) and Freek van Til (VBDO).

• Stainless steel is the sustainability champion of materials, and as such is set to have a bright future. Stainless steel’s durability and recyclability make it a cost-effective solution for a range of applications. Its low maintenance requirements and 100% recyclability without loss of properties contribute to its economic viability and sustainable benefits. Stainless steel is the optimal material for a number of applications (building and architecture, bridges, water distribution, hydrogen, and cookware to name but a few!).

• It is vital that the industry maintains its commitment to sustainability and accelerates the green transition. This will ensure investor confidence and long term development, as well as safeguarding existing end-use markets and opening up new ones.

• It is our responsibility to maintain effective communication with our final users, who will in turn be expected to provide customers with a green product that can be fully traced. We must continue our efforts to produce ferrochrome with a low CO2 footprint.

• Online trading platforms have noted an increased demand for sustainability credentials from their users. These credentials are now a key criterion for sourcing raw materials.

• Independent third-party certification is a vital assurance for the mining and metals sector, as it provides tangible guarantees and therefore support the sector sustainability transition. 

Is Chromium a strategic and critical element?

• Claire Patel Campbell (Fastmarkets), Chromium is of critical importance to both China and the USA. These economic powers have acknowledged its strategic significance and have no chrome reserves. It is also critical to South Africa, the largest holder of chrome reserves, given its economic importance.

• Tanisha Grace Schultz (Project Blue), highlighted the chromium paradox: high availability but uneven exposure. Chromium is a commodity of strategic importance to military, aerospace and other critical applications. Geopolitical monitoring is crucial. Any fluctuations in geopolitics can significantly impact trade flows.

• Hetal Bhatia (Wood Mackenzie), If the EU wants to take a seat at the table, it needs to invest in mines and revive its smelting industry, as well as establish partnerships with non-EU countries to secure raw materials supply, including chromium.

• David Carlander (RPA), The Aerospace and Defence Chromate Reauthorisation Consortium has successfully obtained a 12-year authorisation in the EU and the UK for five CrVI substances and 11 distinct uses for which no substitute exists. However, the European Chemical Agency is still considering restricting the use of certain CrVI substances for specific applications. The EU has also recently initiated a 2-year consultation to accompany an eventual CrVI substitution. To date, no viable alternatives to chromates have been identified for use in the aerospace and defence strategic sectors.

• Bob Lambrechts (Euroalliages), Chromium has already been identified as critical in several countries except in the EU. Euroalliages strongly recommends the inclusion of chromium as a strategic and critical raw material given its economic importance and high concentration index across different sectors and technologies without substitution!

Outlook for stainless and specialty steels

• Robert Messmer (SMR), Chromium significance in specialty steels is critical, chromium is not easily substitutable and key to various alloys used in defence and strategic applications.

• Biagio Olivieri (CRU), The chromium market is in an era of uncertainty, geopolitics, tariffs, regulatory context and resource-nationalism must be carefully monitored.

• Alberto Xodo (LME) Nickel prices have fallen 7% year on year and global market is projected to be in surplus in 2025. The Indonesian policies require close monitoring, given the country’s dominant position in terms of supply.

Global and regional perspectives

• Tanya Atalay (ICDA), The global ferrochromium market is experiencing a gradual rebalancing, policy uncertainty still clouds the global markets.

• Tanya Serbinenko (Metal Expert), Prospects for restoring Russian ferrochromium consumption abroad remain very uncertain. The rejection of Russian LC ferrochromium supports the EU market balance.

• Luke Nickels (Signal Group), highlighted how maritime performance must be closely monitored since it contributes to shape trade flows.

• Rohan Baid (McCloskey), To turn challenges into opportunities, Indian ferrochromium sector must invest in clean energy, focus on niche market and strengthen domestic market engagement as China demand waves.