THE BLOG
April 24, 2025
Olympic Steel Inc., a leading U.S. metals service center, has extended its $625 million credit facility through 2030, strengthening its financial foundation for future growth. Backed by strong liquidity and a disciplined approach to capital management, the company plans to use the facility to fuel acquisitions, working capital, and strategic investments. With 54 facilities nationwide and a growing footprint in high-demand sectors like solar and construction, Olympic Steel is positioning itself to thrive in an evolving industrial landscape.
April 20, 2025
As the UK government steps in to save British Steel from collapse, a new chapter in the nation’s industrial legacy begins—one that will define not just the future of steel production, but also the role of green technology, national security, and economic resilience. This article explores how the transition from coal-fired blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces (EAFs), along with strategic investments in renewable energy, domestic scrap utilisation, and advanced steel technologies, could shape a more sustainable and competitive steel industry. With lessons that resonate beyond the UK, this is a moment of reflection and opportunity for manufacturers worldwide, including those in Southeast Asia, to rethink their path forward in a decarbonising world.
April 18, 2025
In a dramatic escalation of the US-China trade war, President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs of up to 245% on Chinese imports, citing national security and unfair trade practices. This unprecedented move aims to protect critical American industries and reduce reliance on China for rare earth materials essential to defense and technology. While the Trump administration frames it as a bold step to reclaim economic sovereignty, critics warn it could trigger global supply chain shocks and worsen geopolitical tensions. As China retaliates and the world watches, the future of global trade hangs in the balance.
April 17, 2025
As the UK government puts British Steel on the market in a high-stakes bid for a new strategic owner, the future of the nation's steel industry hangs in the balance. Centered around the iconic Scunthorpe plant, this move highlights the urgent need for sustainable, sovereign, and economically viable steel production. For global industry players like LUX METAL, this moment reflects the broader challenges and opportunities shaping modern manufacturing—where resilience, green innovation, and industrial autonomy must go hand in hand.
April 13, 2025
The European Union is firing back against former U.S. President Donald Trump’s revived steel and aluminum tariffs, approving a powerful set of retaliatory measures worth over €20 billion. The decision signals a significant escalation in transatlantic trade tensions and poses new risks to the already fragile European steel industry.
The EU’s response—described by some as “revenge tariffs”—comes amid growing calls from European steelmakers and trade officials to take decisive action against what they see as unjustified and harmful U.S. protectionism.
April 12, 2025
Ukraine continues to show remarkable resilience in the face of prolonged conflict. Despite the obstacles posed by war, the nation’s construction and industrial manufacturing sectors are slowly rebuilding and adapting. While the recovery is far from complete, emerging trends in 2024 signal a slow yet steady climb toward economic stabilization.
At Lux Metal, we understand the essential role steel and metal fabrication play in national infrastructure and industrial growth. In this article, we explore the current status of Ukraine’s construction industry and manufacturing output, using insights from recent data to assess future directions and challenges.