Despite geopolitical uncertainty and import pressures, leading European stainless steel producers Acerinox and Outokumpu reported improved operating results for the first quarter of 2025.

Acerinox had a quarter-on-quarter increase of 29% in production to 512,000 tons, with revenue reaching EUR 1.6 billion and EBITDA rising to EUR 102 million. They anticipated further EBITDA growth in the second quarter and increased synergy expectations from their strategic integrations.

Outokumpu's stainless steel shipments grew by 11% quarter on quarter to 470,000 tons, with adjusted EBITDA at EUR 49 million, boosted by cost optimization and strong ferrochrome performance. While a Finnish strike impacted results, they projected continued shipment growth and stable EBITDA in the second quarter, balancing potential repair costs with raw material gains.