The Scunthorpe steelworks operated by British Steel has secured a significant export order to supply rail for a new high-speed line in Turkey, in what the company has called an “eight-figure agreement.” The contract with ERG International Group covers 36,000 tonnes of rail destined for the 599km Ankara–İzmir railway corridor.
The project is part of Turkey’s ambitious infrastructure expansion, aimed at modernising its rail network and reducing the environmental footprint of long-distance travel. British Steel’s ability to win such a contract demonstrates the enduring international reputation of UK-made steel rail, even at a time when the plant faces profound uncertainty at home.
For workers at the Scunthorpe site, where approximately 3,500 people are employed, the news provides some welcome reassurance. The contract has directly led to the creation of 23 new positions and has enabled a return to continuous, round-the-clock rail production — something that had not happened at the plant for more than ten years.
UK Export Finance played a supporting role in securing the deal, reflecting broader government backing for British Steel’s export activities. Industry body UK Steel praised the agreement, with its director general calling rail “a strategically vital, high-value product” central to British Steel’s long-term future.
However, financial pressures on the site remain severe. Since the government assumed emergency control following Chinese owner Jingye Group’s decision to withdraw, daily losses have climbed to £1.2 million. The total bill disclosed to parliament recently stood at £359 million, prompting calls for structural solutions beyond individual export wins.
