{"product_id":"mpt-international-02-2026","title":"MPT International 02\/2026","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘Fourth consecutive year of crisis’: this headline reflects the latest figures on crude steel production in Germany. According to the German Steel Association, production fell to just 34.1 million tonnes last year — the lowest level since the 2009 financial crisis. Despite the challenging economic climate, there are also positive developments. The use of low-emission steels is on the rise, for instance. Vattenfall has received approval for Germany's largest offshore wind farm, whose towers will be made of low-emission steel. Even the defence industry is shifting to green steel. Rheinmetall signed a contract with SSAB to that effect shortly before this issue went to press (more on this in the next issue).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReducing CO2 emissions is becoming increasingly important, especially in the construction industry, which is slowly regaining momentum. Public infrastructure contracts are rising, and carbon footprints now play a decisive role in tendering. For many suppliers, green steel can be the decisive factor. Recycling is another topic of growing importance. In 2025, Germany recycled 94 percent of its packaging sheet metal. You can find out more about the latest developments in this area in our Recycling Special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompanies are seeking out niches in which they can stand out. Pipe manufacturer Butting, for example, specialises in cryogenic pipes and components such as valves and measuring devices. Our Tube Special offers a broader look at what is happening in the pipe industry in the run-up to wire \u0026amp; Tube 2026 in Düsseldorf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are numerous developments underway in the research sector. Salzgitter has developed a new complex-phase steel; SMS Group is collaborating with the University of Hanover on research into superalloys; Outokumpu is researching the development of eSAFs with Norsk e-Fuel; and Saarland University is training AI with 10,000 steel samples. These are exciting projects that open up new opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInvestment remains essential as well. SMS Group demonstrates how automation and AI can increase the production of construction profiles, and our project overview shows that — despite ongoing crises — the steel industry continues to invest heavily.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"stahleisen-shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58248755806595,"sku":null,"price":43.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0961\/8135\/4883\/files\/MPT_international_2.26.png?v=1781530190","url":"https:\/\/shop.stahlbase.com\/products\/mpt-international-02-2026","provider":"StahlBase Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}