Despite the EU alloy surcharges for stainless steel have actually become obsolete, they still attract attention. After the alloy surcharges for grades 304 (1.4301) and 304L (1.4307) had already risen by around 3.5% in March, they increased by a further 4.8% in April. This was due to the stabilising nickel prices, which had been back at more than USD 17,000/MT since 27 February.

At the same time, a revitalising stainless steel demand side is meeting a further tightening of supply on the part of EU stainless steel producers.