EU mulls safeguards against manganese alloys imports

The European Commission is investigating whether to impose safeguard measures on imports of manganese and silicon-based alloys, following complaints from member states.

European Union ferroalloys producers appear to be under threat from a surge of cheaper imports that are “significantly undercutting” domestic prices, the Commission said in a notice published last month.

Imports of manganese and silicon alloys increased from 1.3 million tonnes in 2020 to 1.6 million tonnes in mid-2024 due to an increase in global production. This upward trend is expected to continue as global producers add as much as 13 million tonnes of new capacity from the current 21 million tonnes, the Commission said.

“Overcapacity for the product will reach unprecedented levels, which cannot be absorbed, in particular, in the context of declining consumption in the Union,” it said.

“In addition, access to many markets is being closed as a result of trade defence measures adopted by a number of third countries in recent years in the context of global overcapacity.”

If the investigation determines safeguard measures are needed, the Commission will impose the trade restrictions no later than nine months after the decision.