manufactured · input

Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel (GOES / CRGO)

Cold-rolled grain-oriented silicon steel with precisely aligned crystal structure (Goss texture) that minimizes magnetic core losses in power transformers. Silicon content 3–3.5% allows low eddy-current losses. The world's most magnetically efficient bulk material. Hi-B domain-refined grades (≥1.88 T) are required for EHV transformer cores. The US has only one domestic GOES producer: Cleveland-Cliffs' Butler, PA plant.

Source countries

Companies

Goods affected

Claims on record

What depends on it

Goods that need this input

3 essential American goods rely on grain-oriented electrical steel (goes / crgo) somewhere upstream in their supply chain.

Materials

Electric grid transformers

High-voltage power transformers for transmission and distribution; 1-2 year lead times; U.S. imports ~80%.

Energy

Electricity (residential)

Residential electricity service for lighting, appliances, and HVAC.

Energy

Residential Electricity

The full infrastructure stack delivering electricity to U.S. homes — spanning generation (natural gas 43%, nuclear 18%, renewables 24%, coal 16%), high-voltage transmission, distribution, and smart metering. The U.S. generated approximately 4,178 billion kWh in 2023 at utility scale.

Where it comes from

Source countries

Share of global supply, by country.

Country	Share of supply
USUnited States	40%
JPJapan	30%
KRSouth Korea	15%
DEGermany	10%
BRBrazil	5%
CNChina	5%
PLPoland	4%
INIndia	3%

Who makes it

Supplier companies

5 companies produce grain-oriented electrical steel (goes / crgo).

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.(CLF)

HQ US40% shareSOLE SUPPLIER

Cleveland, Ohio-based integrated steel producer (NYSE: CLF); formed through acquisitions of AK Steel (2020) and ArcelorMittal USA (2020) — now the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America. Key plate facilities: Burns Harbor, Indiana (carbon/HSLA plate + heat treating); Gary, Indiana (same grade mix); Coatesville, Pennsylvania (EAF-based, 800,000 tons/year, 450+ steel chemistries including military alloy, quench-and-temper capability). Also serves automotive as AK Steel legacy. The Coatesville PA facility is one of the most technically capable US plate mills — produces complex alloys including military armor plate. Iron ore mining operations in Minnesota/Michigan (Minorca Mine, Tilden Mine, Empire Mine) provide integrated raw material supply from Great Lakes region.

Nippon Steel Corporation(5401.T)

HQ JP20% share

Japan's largest and world's #3 steel producer; parent of Standard Steel LLC (the only North American forged rail wheel producer, acquired 2011). Also blocked from acquiring US Steel Corporation (Biden administration denied in January 2025 on national security grounds). The irony: US regulators blocked Nippon Steel from buying a general US steel company for 'national security' reasons, while Nippon Steel already wholly owns the company that provides 100% of the forged steel wheels for US freight railcars — a product with no domestic alternative. Nippon Steel is also a major rail producer for Japanese and global markets.

POSCO Holdings

HQ KR15% share

South Korean integrated steel producer; world #4 (37.79M MT in 2024). Pohang and Gwangyang steelworks. Produces structural steel plate (KS D 3515 equivalent to S355/S460). Supplies Korean shipbuilders, offshore structures, and heavy machinery makers. Also entering lithium and secondary battery materials as strategic pivot.

JFE Steel Corporation(5411.T)

HQ JP10% share

Japan's 2nd-largest steel producer and major galvanized coil supplier. Produces hot-dip galvanized steel for automotive, construction, and industrial applications. JV with various Asian producers.

thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel GmbH

HQ DE8% share

Subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG. One of Europe's only two remaining grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) producers. Primary facility in Gelsenkirchen, Germany (GOES) and Isbergues, France (GOES + NOES). Brand: powercore® electrical steel. Facing severe import pressure: Chinese GOES imports to Europe tripled 2022–2025, now >50% of EU market. Implemented production cuts at Gelsenkirchen and Isbergues in 2026, with Isbergues fully closed June–September 2026.

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