Stainless steel scrap in parts of Europe and Asia is increasingly being replaced by stainless steel semi-finished products, such as billets, and nickel pig iron as high scrap prices push steel mills toward more cost-effective alternatives. Italian stainless steel producer Nichel Leghe Spa noted that the European Union has been heavily using these materials, which are cheaper than scrap, especially amid weakened stainless steel demand and thin profit margins.

In Italy, sales of stainless steel scrap began declining in September after major mill Acerinox announced it would need less scrap due to extended strikes and summer vacations. Some scrap dealers refused to lower their prices, forcing mills to turn to billets and nickel pig iron.