UK Steel backs Government plan to buy SSUK

Aaron Blutstein 18 September 2026  

The Government’s ambition to step in and acquire Speciality Steels UK (SSUK) is the right move as the South Yorkshire site scales up to become fully operational later this year.

While talks with the preferred bidder were ongoing, the Government decided it is best to take over the asset itself. This move gives added security to the 1300 employees in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth and Wednesbury, and should give the market confidence that SSUK is returning to regular production and able to satisfy new orders.

SSUK is a core part of the UK manufacturing supply chain feeding into areas of critical national security including domestic aerospace, defence and advanced manufacturing, producing steel for aircraft landing gear, helicopter rotors, and artillery casings. The company is also a key supplier to the oil & gas, automotive and general engineering sectors.

The Stocksbridge, Bright Bar and Thrybergh rolling mills have been operational throughout the liquidation process and have been ramping up production for hire-work. Funding has also been made available to restart the melting operations, with the electric arc furnaces well on track for a December restart date.

The rise in SSUK’s production will release much of the pressure in the tightest UK import quotas (notably categories 12B and 27), ensuring the UK market is well supplied and helping the government towards its target to increase the UK’s steel self-sufficiency from just 32% of demand currently to 40%-50%.

UK Steel Director-General, Gareth Stace commented: “This Government is once again stepping up to do what is needed for the UK steel industry. SSUK is already well on its way to returning to full operations and retaking its place at the heart of critical UK supply chains. It is crucial that the custodian of this key strategic asset is the right owner and investor, with the expertise and long-term ambition that the dedicated workforce deserve.”