The event dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the European Steel Distributors Association, EUROMETAL, held in Luxembourg and attended by Fastmarkets, highlighted several key themes crucial for the future of the steel industry in Europe. Discussions revolved around the protection of the European steel industry, energy supply challenges, decarbonization efforts, and the implementation of the EU Carbon Boundary Regulation Mechanism (CBAM). Notably, the transition to cleaner steel production methods like the electric arc furnace (EAF) was emphasized as essential in achieving the EU's ambitious target of zero carbon emissions by 2050. Currently, about 55% of steel in Europe is produced using the traditional blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace method, with the remaining 45% being produced in EAFs. The shift towards EAF technologies is expected to increase, with estimates indicating a rise to about 57% by implementing new 'green' steelmaking facilities focusing on electric energy. However, the energy-intensive nature of steel production poses challenges, with forecasts suggesting a doubling of electricity demand in Europe by 2030 and a fourfold increase by 2050. The role of hydrogen production in this energy transition was highlighted, with projections indicating a significant need for hydrogen in steelmaking processes. Despite the positive strides towards decarbonization, European market participants face cost competitiveness issues due to higher electricity prices compared to regions like Asia and America. Thus, the event underscored the importance of access to affordable renewable energy sources and the need for efficient energy use in the steel sector to navigate the path to decarbonization successfully.