ISL fights back against steel dumping, plans big for growth and exports

At a recent Pakistan Mid Cap Conference 2025, International Steels Ltd (ISL) shared its plan to overcome tough market conditions and move toward growth, both at home and abroad.

Let’s break it down in simple terms:

The problem: cheap imports hurting local industry

Pakistan’s flat steel market (used in everything from cars to appliances) is about 1 million tons in size. But here’s the catch: imports take up 40% of this market!

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That’s bad news for local producers like ISL. Their sales fell to just 264,000 tons in FY24, down from over 400,000 tons a few years ago. Why? Because of:

• Cheap imports from FATA/PATA regions
• Dumping of Galvalume steel (a coated steel product, mainly from other countries)

Even though the overall market grew 18% this year, listed companies like ISL didn’t benefit, unfair competition kept them from gaining market share.

ISL’s response: fighting for fair play

ISL isn’t staying silent. They’re pushing back through legal and trade action:

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• Anti-dumping case filed against Galvalume imports (220,000 tons are dumped into Pakistan yearly)
  • ISL believes they can regain 150,000 tons of lost sales once duties are imposed
• Filed an anti-circumvention case on cold-rolled coils (CRC)
  • Decision expected in about 9 months

If successful, these actions will reduce the price gap between formal (tax-paying) and informal (tax-evading) steel players, making competition fairer.

Going global: big export plans

ISL is not just focused on Pakistan. The company is aggressively targeting exports to new markets:

• Europe
• Saudi Arabia
• Malaysia
• United States, despite some U.S. tariffs, ISL still sees it as a key market

They’re betting on quality, certifications, and international standards to stand out.

Going green: solar power boost

In a smart sustainability move, ISL is adding 6.4 megawatts of solar energy to its operations. This will help meet 11% of their power needs in FY26, cutting costs and reducing carbon emissions.

New product: electrical steel

ISL is also planning to launch a new product: Electrical Steel, which is used in things like transformers and electric motors, a growing global market, especially with the rise of electric vehicles and clean energy.

ISL is facing tough times, but it’s not backing down. With bold legal steps, a push into global markets, green energy, and new products, the company is setting itself up for a stronger and more competitive future.

If trade policies work in their favor, expect a turnaround in volumes and profitability. And if exports gain momentum, ISL could become one of Pakistan’s top industrial players on the global stage.

⚠️ This post reflects the author’s personal opinion and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk and should be done independently. Read full disclaimer →