At a time when its future has never been more uncertain, British Steel has demonstrated its enduring value by landing a major international contract to supply rail for a prestigious high-speed railway project in Turkey. The eight-figure deal with ERG International Group will see 36,000 tonnes of Scunthorpe-made rail used in the construction of the 599km Ankara–İzmir line.
The contract is significant not just for its financial value, but for what it says about British Steel’s standing in the global rail market. Producing track for high-speed railways demands precision, consistency, and deep technical expertise — qualities that British Steel’s supporters have long argued the Scunthorpe plant possesses in abundance, even amid its financial difficulties.
In practical terms, the deal has already made a difference. Twenty-three new jobs have been created, and the plant has resumed 24-hour production for the first time in more than a decade. UK Export Finance provided backing for the agreement, helping British Steel compete in a market where energy costs and government subsidies often give overseas rivals a significant advantage.
UK Steel’s director general praised the contract as “essential to underpinning a sustainable turnaround,” adding that rail’s status as a high-value, strategically vital product makes British Steel’s capability in this area particularly important. He urged the government to strengthen import safeguards and address energy cost disparities to give British steel producers a fairer competitive footing.
However, none of this changes the fundamental financial picture. British Steel is losing £1.2 million a day, and total losses under government control have reached £359 million. The Turkish deal is a valuable win, but it will need to be followed by many more — and by meaningful structural reform — if the Scunthorpe site is to have a secure long-term future.