Economic risks

Based on the insights gained from past economic and financial crises and their impact on the voestalpine Group, and particularly from recent crises and uncertainties (such as the war in Iran, the Ukraine war, interest rate and inflation developments, U.S. tariff policy, and pandemics), additional steps, primarily of a corporate nature, have been put in place over recent years to minimize risk. These measures were consistently pursued in the 2025/26 business year and will continue to be implemented in the coming years. These measures are specifically aimed at

• minimizing the negative effects that a recessionary economic trend would have on the company through appropriate planning measures,

• maintaining high product quality while continuously improving efficiency and optimizing costs,

• ensuring supply security to the greatest extent possible and avoiding or compensating for any bottlenecks as effectively as possible, also leveraging the Group’s international presence,

• mitigating price volatility, particularly for energy and raw materials, as effectively as possible through appropriate tools and measures, and where appropriate, passing costs on to customers,

• having sufficient financial liquidity available even in the event of tight financial markets,

• safeguarding in-house expertise more efficiently than before to support the long-term expansion of the Group’s quality and technology leadership.

Specific risk mitigation measures for risks previously identified within the voestalpine Group have been developed and implemented or are currently being implemented. These measures aim to reduce the potential extent of losses and/or lower the probability of occurrence. It should be noted that, from today’s perspective, the risks facing the voestalpine Group— over and above global crises and their consequences—are limited and manageable, and that they do not threaten the company’s existence as a going concern. No risks threatening the company’s continued existence have been identified.