The final week of 2025 brought notable structural changes to Europe’s cement and metallurgical markets. Despite the traditional slowdown during the holiday period, several developments and analytical reviews highlighted the trends that will shape the industry in 2026. Particular attention is focused on materials that play a critical role in decarbonisation and production modernisation: GBFS, ACS, fly ash, kaolin, microsphere, DRI, mill scale, pellets and briquettes.
One of the main challenges remains the shortage of granulated and air‑cooled blast furnace slag (GBFS and ACS). The ongoing reduction of blast furnace operations in Europe — driven by the transition to electric arc furnaces and direct reduced iron technologies — continues to limit slag availability. This puts additional pressure on cement producers who rely on GBFS as a key component of low‑carbon cements. Analysts expect the shortage to persist into 2026, encouraging producers to expand the use of alternative SCMs.
At the same time, the shortage of fly ash in the EU continues to deepen due to the decline of coal‑fired power generation. This is increasing interest in kaolin and microspheres (cenospheres), which are increasingly used in specialty cements, dry mixes and high‑performance construction materials. Central European markets are seeing a rise in projects using calcined clay as a partial substitute for traditional SCMs.
The metallurgical sector is also undergoing active restructuring. Demand for DRI continues to grow as producers seek to reduce dependence on imported pig iron and semi‑finished products. This trend is influencing the market for mill scale, pellets and briquettes, which are becoming essential for optimising EAF production and reducing operational costs. Investments in equipment modernisation are also supporting demand for high‑quality cast iron products used in steelmaking and casting applications.
Overall, the strategic materials market ends 2025 in a state of high volatility but with significant growth potential. Companies capable of ensuring stable supplies of GBFS, fly ash, DRI, kaolin and other key materials will gain a strong competitive advantage in 2026.