Deputy industry minister says the steel industry lost 10 million tonnes of output capacity last year to energy shortfalls

A deputy minister of industry, mines and trade said Iran's steel industry lost 10 million tonnes of production capacity last year because of energy shortfalls, adding that the energy imbalance has affected the country's entire steel chain. The remarks were published on Tuesday 28 July 2026 (6 Mordad 1405).

The steel chain, running from iron ore and concentrate through pellets, sponge iron and billet, is among the most electricity and gas intensive industrial chains, and it faces quota restrictions during the peak consumption months of summer and winter. A lower capacity utilisation rate feeds directly into sales volumes and profitability at the steelmakers listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange, and into the group's offerings on the Iran Mercantile Exchange.