Steel Markets in Real Time: A 2025 Reality Check with DBX Satellite Data

The global steel industry is undergoing unprecedented turbulence. While the OECD Steel Outlook 2025 points to looming oversupply crises and decarbonization headwinds, DBX Commodities delivers a sharper, real-time perspective. Our proprietary Spectrum technology combines satellite imagery with AI analytics to provide immediate insights into steel production, raw material flows, and trade dislocations—weeks and months ahead of official data.

What Our Real-Time Intelligence Reveals

DBX's cutting-edge satellite monitoring and vessel tracking technology captures market dynamics as they unfold, giving traders, policymakers, and investors the critical edge they need. Our findings reveal green shoots of recovery in key markets that traditional data sources are missing entirely.

Key Market Insights from Our Analysis

China's Resilient Steel Production
Despite property sector weakness, thermal activity at key coastal BF/BOF mills in Hebei and Shandong has remained surprisingly resilient since March 2025, contradicting widespread curtailment narratives.

European Recovery Signals
DBX data shows moderate upticks in thermal intensity at German and French mills, suggesting restarts are underway despite ongoing economic pressure—signals not yet visible in official EU production data.

India's Structural Transformation
Contrary to OECD projections of muted demand, DBX tracking shows Indian steel output expanding, driven by strong construction activity. We're witnessing a structural shift as India pivots from net exporter to occasional importer.

Trade Route Disruptions
Since April 2025, flat steel shipments from China to the MENA region have increased sharply via transshipment hubs like Port Klang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Manila—likely to bypass new tariffs or quotas.

Green Steel Reality Check
Activity at flagship hydrogen pilot sites like HYBRIT (Sweden) and ArcelorMittal's Ghent facility has plateaued, suggesting delays in scaling green steel technologies.

Why Real-Time Data Matters Now

Traditional market models are breaking down in an era of supply shocks, trade frictions, and decarbonization uncertainty. Historical data is no longer sufficient. DBX's platform captures operational and logistical shifts as they unfold, providing actionable intelligence for critical business decisions.

Critical insights our analysis addresses:

• Which regions show early signs of steel production recovery?
• How are Chinese exporters adapting to new trade restrictions?
• Where are the bottlenecks in global raw material supply chains?
• What's the real pace of green steel technology deployment?
• Which trade routes are experiencing the most disruption?

Advanced Satellite Intelligence at Work

Our Spectrum technology provides unprecedented visibility into steel market dynamics through real-time monitoring of furnace thermal signatures, port congestion analysis, vessel tracking, and raw material flow detection. This intelligence empowers you to act, not react, in volatile market conditions.

Get the Complete Real-Time Analysis

Our comprehensive white paper provides detailed regional market analysis, production capacity trends, trade flow disruptions, and decarbonization progress tracking across China, Europe, India, and the MENA region.

The full analysis includes:

• Real-time production vs. capacity trend analysis with satellite-verified data
• Trade dislocation mapping and export flow monitoring
• Iron ore and coking coal flow analysis as leading indicators
• Green steel capacity tracking and decarbonization progress assessment
• Short-term market watchlist with actionable intelligence
• Regional deep-dives covering China, EU, India, and MENA markets

This isn't just market analysis—it's real-time intelligence designed for decision-makers who need to understand where the steel industry is heading and how to position for what's next.

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Ready to access the complete real-time analysis?

Download our full "Steel Markets in Real Time: A 2025 Reality Check with DBX Satellite Data" white paper to get the insights that matter for your strategic decisions.

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Questions about our satellite intelligence platform? Contact our research team at info@dbxcommodities.com