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voestalpine expands Lightweight Construction Expertise to Railway Systems

voestalpine is now applying its lightweight construction expertise to railway systems as well. In cooperation with the Rail Cargo Group, the cargo subsidiary of the Austrian Railways ÖBB, voestalpine’s Steel Division and Logserv, its logistics subsidiary, have developed TransANT,a novel design concept worldwide, specifically, freight cars equipped with a range of lightweight modular superstructures. voestalpine supplies a complete system for the new lightweight freight cars that encompasses high-performance steels and the appropriate welding technology, both of which substantially contribute to the freight cars’ lower weight and greater flexibility. For example, the undercarriage, which is about 20% lighter than conventional models, makes it possible to add loads of up to four tons per freight car. Stiff, ultra-high tensile section solutions for the cars’ superstructures enable additional weight reductions.

voestalpine supplies cutting-edge solutions made of ultra-high tensile steels for lightweight automotive construction. The Group’s “phs-ultraform” product innovation, hot-dip galvanized strip steel and the process of turning it into press-hardened auto parts, has already become a new, worldwide standard for the manufacture of lightweight components that provide greater corrosion protection and improved crash performance. Premium automakers utilize components made of phs-ultraform for side members, A and B-pillars, struts in side walls and doors (crash-relevant components), as well as sills.

voestalpine is also forging new approaches to the design of the new lightweight freight cars: This is the very first time so-called topology optimization is being applied in the construction of freight cars. The technology, which so far has been used in automotive and aerospace construction, involves a software algorithm that works out a particular design proposal autonomously based on predetermined parameters. This yields a structure that combines minimum weight with maximum tensile strength.

voestalpine’s logistics subsidiary Logserv is already using the initial batch of freight cars to carry out iron ore transports with great success. The freight cars’ innovative lightweight design will make it possible to reduce the number of train trips by about 100 per year.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Tenaris Reduces VOC Emissions at Mill in Argentina

Tenaris continues to implement solutions to minimize its environmental footprint through the use of new technologies and processes as part of its strategic vision and commitment to sustainable production. Following the implementation of a program to reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds from varnishing and painting activities, Tenaris cut by 90 percent its VOC emissions at two varnishing lines at its seamless mill Siderca in Argentina.

Tenaris applies a corrosion-protective coating on pipes to preserve it during transportation and storage.

In this project, many teams within Tenaris collaborated to research and implement a USD 2 million USD plan that involved not only a change in the chemical products used to protect the pipes, from solvent to water-based varnish, but also the modification of application and drying systems as well as storage areas.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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NLMK Introduces QR Codes for Finished Products & Quality Certificates

NLMK Group has introduced a QR coding system for all types of flat and long steel products produced in Russia. The digital solution will enable the company to process documents and ship products faster, and customers to move away from paperwork. When scanned, the QR code placed on each NLMK product unit, takes the customer to a web page that contains information on the steel grade, the weight, size, batch number and other features of the product unit in question. The customer can open and save an electronic version of the quality certificate with GOST (state standard) information, specification number, and other product data. In September 2020, the company plans to introduce digital signatures for quality certificates, which will save customers the trouble of having to request the original hard copy. The certificate will be available from the customer’s profile.

The QR code and electronic certificate enable automatic transmission of data to the buyer's information systems, such as warehouse management system. This helps customers reduce transaction costs.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Bijlage:
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Tenaris Achieves Settlement to Protect IPSCO Connections Technology

A federal judge has ordered OFS International LLC to stop manufacturing and selling six connections which Tenaris alleged were based on confidential information and trade secrets that OFSi stole from Tenaris’s subsidiary IPSCO Tubulars. The order prohibits OFSi from developing new connections using Tenaris’s confidential information and requires OFSi to return or destroy all stolen information in its possession. United States Magistrate Judge Christina Bryan signed the permanent injunction order earlier this week, which provides that OFSi is PERMANENTLY ENJOINED from manufacturing, marketing, selling, offering for sale, licensing or providing threading services for the six connections at issue in the lawsuit, including the BHT and BHT-S.

Tenaris acquired IPSCO in January 2020, and continued to pursue the litigation against OFSi to protect its acquired assets and defend against unfair competition.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Metalloinvest Announces H1 2020 IFRS Financial Results

Metalloinvest announced its IFRS financial results for the half year ended 30 June 2020. Metalloinvest Deputy CEO & Chief Financial Officer Mr Alexey Voronov said “In the first half of 2020, the Company’s revenue decreased by 14% to USD 3.1 bn. This is mainly related to a significant decline in average prices for all product types caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a decrease in economic activity in the global market. However, the Company successfully redistributed its product flows in the reporting period and retained a solid EBITDA margin of 36.5%. We are pleased to note that in the first half of 2020, the Company’s Net Debt decreased by 9% to USD 3.4 billion. Thus, the Company maintained a comfortable level of leverage, with Net Debt / EBITDA LTM at 1.6x at the end of the reporting period. A debt repayment schedule with a minor proportion of short-term debt, of around 7%, secures a sustainable financial position of the Company.”

Financial highlights - YoY
Revenue USD 3,075 million (-14.2%)
EBITDA USD 1,059 million (-24.9%)
EBITDA margin 36.5% vs 41.6% in H1 2019
Net Income USD 530 million (-48.0%)
Net Debt USD 3,409 million (-9.2% compared to 31 December 2019)
Net Debt / EBITDA LTM 1.6x vs. 1.5x as at 31 December 2019
Capital Expenditure USD 209 million (-5.4%)

Production highlights
Iron ore 20.2 million tonnes (+2.6%)
Pellets 14.2 million tonnes (+0.6%)
HBI/DRI 4.1 million tonnes (+1.6%)
Hot metal 1.3 million tonnes (-7.2%)
Crude steel 2.5 million tonnes (+4.6%)

Key corporate highlights
Launch of CCM #3 at OEMK following the completion of its technical re-equipping
Modernisation of the beneficiation plant at MGOK to increase the plant’s iron ore concentrates production
Reconstruction of Pellet Plant #3 at MGOK for implementing advanced technology of additional concentrate grinding.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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SeAH Steel to Set up Wind Turbine Monopile Plant in UK

Korean media reported that SeAH Steel Holdings will participate in Britain’s state-led offshore wind power project to supply key parts and has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to construct the world’s biggest monopile production facility. SeAH Steel will build a factory in Britain to manufacture superscale monopoles with annual production capacity of 160,000 tonnes. With commercial production set for the first quarter of 2023, SeAH Steel aims to produce more than 100 monopiles per year

A monopile is a simple structure consisting of a steel pipe driven into the seabed, providing a fixed foundation for an offshore wind turbine.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Tenaris Achieves 100% By Product Recovery Rate in Romania

As part of its commitment to developing a long-term, sustainable business by minimizing the environmental impact of its operations, Tenaris’s mills in Romania have achieved a 100% recovery rate for iron co-product produced during its production process. Tenaris’s production process starts at its steel shop located Calarasi in Romania. The steel produced at the plant is 96% based on an infinitely recyclable material, namely scrap metal, collected and processed by the steel shop’s electric arc furnace in a quantity of approximately 500,000 tonnes per year.

For the last five years, Tenaris has focused on the recovery and reuse of slag, the co-product of scrap melting. By identifying a mechanical processing solution, the company successfully managed to repurpose 60,000 tonnes of slag annually for road construction.

The production process continues as the steel bars produced in Calarasi are transported to Tenaris’s seamless tubes mill in Zalau. At this facility, the various pipe production and mechanical processes generate ferrous co-products.

Tenaris’s team has managed to transform oily mill scale into an additional material for the electric arc furnace in Calarasi avoiding 850 tons of waste per year. Every year, 8,000 tonnes of mill scale are sold to companies in the metallurgical, chemical, or white goods, saving 15,000 cubic meters of landfilling space.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Chinese Crude Steel Production in July Crosses 93 Million Tonnes

China's steel sector registered record high output in July 2020 on surging domestic demand due to a flurry of infrastructure projects, as the country introduced massive stimulus measures to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 outbreak. According to the China Iron and Steel Association, Chinese crude steel output rose by about 9.1 percent from a year before to reach 93.36 million tonnes in July, with a daily output of 3.01 million tonnes. Yet, the increasing supply has not been able to meet the rising demand. China's imports of steel materials in July tripled to 2.61 million tonnes from a year ago

The output of pig iron gained nearly 8.8 percent year on year to 78.18 million tonnes in July, while that of rolled steel surged by roughly 9.9 percent from the same period last year to 116.89 million tonnes

CISA said “As macro policies supporting growth consolidate economic recovery momentum, demand for steel in the downstream industry is expected to continue to grow.”

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Baowu to Become World’s Largest Steelmaker Buy 51% Stake in Taiyuan Iron & Steel Co

China’s largest steelmaker China Baowu Steel Group announced that it will acquire a 51 percent stake in Taiyuan Iron & Steel (Group) Co Ltd for CNY 14.5 billion (USD 2.1 billion), which will take its combined crude steel capacity to 111 million tonnes per year. The Shanxi provincial government will retain the 49 percent balance. Shanxi based TISCO, which has an annual capacity of 12.94 million tonnes, of which 4.5 million tonnes is for stainless steel products. The deal needs further approval from the State owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council.

China Baowu was formed in December 2016 following the merger of Shanghai-based Baosteel Group and Wuhan Iron & Steel Group in Hubei province. It is China’s largest steel maker with production capacity of 98.5 million tonnes. Baowu is comprised of subsidiaries Baosteel Group in eastern and southern China, Wuhan Steel Group in central China, Maanshan Iron & Steel Group in eastern China and Chongqing Iron & Steel in south-western China. The merger with TISCO will stretch Baowu's presence into northern China.

In 2019, Baowu produced 95.46 million tonnes of crude steel, while TISCO's output reached 10.86 million tonnes, giving a combined 106.32 million tonnes. Baowu was the world's second largest steelmaker after ArcelorMittal, which produced 97.31 million tonnes in 2019, according to the World Steel Association.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Indian Steelmakers EBITDA to Rise in Q2

Fitch Ratings in latest report said that EBITDA should improve for Indian steelmakers JSW Steel Limited and Tata Steel Limited from the second quarter of the financial year, driven by higher volumes and wide margins, after a sharp fall in earnings in 1QFY21. Fitch Ratings said “The EBITDA drop was less than expected as steelmakers partly offset the sharp demand contraction in India with higher exports. However, we expect leverage to remain higher than is consistent with the ratings for the two companies in FY21. We forecast a sharp leverage decline in FY22 but demand-side risks remain, albeit receding.”

Fitch said “We expect Indian steel demand to contract in FY21. However, volumes should continue to improve over the next few quarters, led by rural consumption and government spending on infrastructure, and lead to better margins due to operating leverage. Higher prices supported by the price rebound in China should also drive margins in 2QFY21 and beyond. Hot-rolled steel sheet prices in China have improved by around USD100 per tonne since April 2020, and Indian prices have started to tick up since late July, with a lag. Utilisation rates have also improved significantly, with JSWS's Vijayanagar plant inching towards 90% and TSL expecting an average rate of over 95% in 2QFY21 for its key Indian units.”

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Hydrogen Based Steel Production via BF Starts at Dillinger

Germany’s first hydrogen-based steel production plant via the blast furnace route is beginning operation in Dillingen. With the EUR 14 million investments, Dillinger and Saarstahl are further cutting their carbon emissions while also creating the conditions for practical use of green hydrogen. The new plant in Dillingen is the first in Germany that uses hydrogen as a reducing agent in the blast furnace in normal operation. This is accomplished by injecting hydrogen-rich coke gas. Saarstahl and Dillinger Chairman Tim Hartmann said “We are ready for the transformation to green steel. This investment confirms: Saarstahl and Dillinger are ready to take the next big steps on the way to producing green steel.”

The use of hydrogen in steel production is a key factor in reducing carbon emissions. The coke gas injection system is an important step toward producing green steel and minimizing the use of resources. Carbon emissions from the blast furnace can be reduced by replacing the carbon in the blast furnace with hydrogen as a reducing agent and energy source. This means conditions are now in place for future operation of the blast furnaces, as far as technically possible, with green hydrogen. The precondition for this as well as for the complete conversion of our steel production to hydrogen based then on other technologies like electric furnaces and hydrogen-based direct reduction plants is the future availability in Saarland of green hydrogen in sufficient quantities and at competitive conditions.

Independent of this, the companies are pushing ahead with further major energy efficiency projects and making sustained investments in the optimization of existing plants. Dillinger and Saarstahl, for example, have made environment-related investments totalling EUR 70 million in the last two years.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Government Approves LIBERTY Ostrava Plans for Hybrid Furnaces

LIBERTY Ostrava has received approval from the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Environment to implement new low carbon technologies and start its journey towards becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The Ministry has approved the Environmental Impact Assessment for Ostrava’s ambitious investment plan in the transformation of its steelmaking operations through the use of two hybrid furnaces, the first of their kind in Europe. The modern hybrid technology, which will replace the existing tandem furnaces by the end of 2022, will have a significantly lower environmental footprint reducing carbon emissions by more than 50% and particulate emissions by 66%.

The modernization of the steel shop consists of the construction of two hybrid furnaces, which will replace the existing four tandem furnaces and have the same annual production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes of steel. The new hybrid steel-making technology will allow the business: to use higher volumes of local steel scrap, reducing its reliance on imported natural resources; to produce significantly lower CO2 emissions; have greater flexibility to respond to changing market situations, by enabling it to switch between or blend Blast Furnace and Electric Arc Furnace produced steel, liquid steel produced from iron ores and coke in the Blast Furnaces and steel from recycled scrap in the Hybrid Furnaces. LIBERTY Ostrava plans to build and commission the new furnaces by the end of 2022.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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USITC to Continue Probe on Seamless Pipe Imports from Czech Republic, Korea, Russia & Ukraine

The United States International Trade Commission has determined that there is a reasonable indication that a US industry is materially injured by reason of imports of seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from Czech Republic, Korea, Russia, and Ukraine that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of Korea and Russia. As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the US Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about October 1, 2020, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about December 15, 2020.

The merchandise covered by the scope of these investigations is seamless carbon and alloy steel (other than stainless steel) pipes and redraw hollows, less than or equal to 16 inches (406.4 mm) in outside diameter, regardless of wall-thickness, manufacturing process (e.g., hot-finished or cold-drawn), end finish (e.g., plain end, bevelled end, upset end, threaded, or threaded and coupled), or surface finish (e.g., bare, lacquered or coated). Standard, line, and pressure pipe is generally intended to convey liquids and is typically tested and rated for its ability to withstand hydrostatic pressure.

Status of Proceedings:
1. Type of investigation: Preliminary countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations
2. Petitioners: Vallourec Star LP Houston Texas
3. USITC Institution Date: July 08, 2020
4. USITC Conference Date: July 29, 2020
5. USITC Vote Date: August 21, 2020
6. USITC Notification to Commerce Date: August 24, 2020.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Vietnam to Review Anti-Dumping on Cold Rolled Stainless Steel Imports

The Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam under the Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued a notice of receipt of a request to review anti-dumping measures for some cold rolled stainless steel products originating from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan imported into Viet Nam. After the review time expires, based on the investigation conclusions, the Trade Remedies Authority of Viet Nam will propose the Minister of Industry and Trade to continue applying anti-dumping measures in accordance with current regulations and adjust the anti-dumping measures or terminate the application of the measures.

Previously, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued Decision 3162/QD-BCT on October 21 last year on the results of final review of the application of anti-dumping measures for some steel products originating from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, imported into Viet Nam and decided to continue applying anti-dumping measures for these products.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Baosteel Launches Corrosion Resistant Rails for High Speed Railways

Recently, Baosteel's U68CuCr corrosion-resistant rails for high-speed railways made their world debut. The product has managed a good balance of rail mechanical properties, welding performance and corrosion resistance, and was successfully used in the world's first 350 km/h undersea high-speed railway tunnel - the Shiziyang Tunnel of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link.

Baosteel's corrosion-resistant rail U68CuCr has the characteristics of high strength and good wear resistance, and its corrosion resistance is 30%~50% higher than the traditional U75V rail. The product has filled the gap in the application of corrosion-resistant rail products in passenger high-speed railways in the world.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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SteelFab Expanding Florence Plant Capacity

Leading American Institute of Steel Construction certified fabricator of structural steel in the United States SteelFab Inc will invest more than USD 5 million to expand operations in Florence in South Carolina. Located at 1220 Steel Road, SteelFab Inc’s expansion will increase its overall capacity for cutting, drilling and fabrication of structural steel. Additionally, the expansion will create a third production line and relocate the two existing lines to a new area on the existing property. Construction related to the expansion is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2021. The overall expansion is expected to be completed by 2025.

With 15 locations nationwide, SteelFab Inc provides welding, coating, assembly, fabrication and other related services for steel products throughout the United States.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Deacero Appealing against US Steel Wire Rod Antidumping Duties

As per media reports, Mexican exporter Deacero is appealing US duties on certain entries of its steel wire rod, arguing to the Federal Circuit that the Commerce Department was wrong to find the company didn’t cooperate with its duty review.

The US maintains antidumping duties on imports of carbon and certain alloy steel wire rod from Mexico, which is used in the construction, automotive, energy, and agriculture industries. Commerce conducted a periodic duty review covering imports that entered the US between October 2014 and September 2015, and hit Deacero with a 40.52% dumping margin and corresponding duty rate.

Source : STRATEGIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
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Mondiale staalproductie omlaag

(ABM FN-Dow Jones) De mondiale staalproductie is in juli opnieuw op jaarbasis lager uitgekomen, hoewel de daling minder sterk is dan in de voorgaande maanden. Dit bleek maandag uit cijfers van brancheorganisatie World Steel Association.

In totaal maakten de 64 staalproducerende landen in juli ruim 152 miljoen ton staal, een daling van 2,5 procent op jaarbasis. In juni was nog sprake van een krimp van 7 procent op jaarbasis.

In China, wereldwijd met afstand de grootste fabrikant van staal, steeg de productie in juli met 9,1 procent tot 93,4 miljoen ton.

In de Verenigde Staten daalde de productie met 29,4 procent tot 5,2 miljoen ton en de Japanse productie daalde met 27,9 procent tot 6,0 miljoen ton.

In Duitsland daalde de productie met 24,7 procent, terwijl de productie in de Europese Unie daalde met 24,4 procent.

Door de problemen rond de coronapandemie zijn de cijfers aan verandering onderhevig, tekende de WSA aan.

Door: ABM Financial News.
info@abmfn.nl
Redactie: +31(0)20 26 28 999

© Copyright ABM Financial News B.V. All rights reserved.
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Morgan Stanley voert advies Aperam op

Gepubliceerd op 25 augustus 2020 07:24 | Views: 0

Aperam 24 aug
24,65 0,00 (0,00%)

AMSTERDAM (AFN) - Het advies voor roestvrijstaalbedrijf Aperam is door analisten van Morgan Stanley opgevoerd naar overweight van equalweight. Het koersdoel daarbij is 30 euro, zo bleek dinsdag uit een rapport.

Volgens de kenners heeft Aperam onder meer een "toonaangevend" dividendrendement in de sector en is ten opzichte van branchegenoten het sterkst in Europa. Ook heeft de onderneming de laagste financieringsbehoefte. Wel liggen er uitdagingen op de loer, zoals grote voorraden vanwege bijvoorbeeld de coronacrisis en goedkopere concurrentie uit Azië.

Het aandeel Aperam sloot maandag op 24,65 euro.
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ArcelorMittal follows Nucor in raising U.S. steel plate prices

Aug. 24, 2020 5:53 PM ET|About: ArcelorMittal (MT)|By: Carl Surran, SA News Editor

ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT) and SSAB tell their U.S. customers they will increase steel plate pricing by $40/st, effective immediately, for new orders.

The decision follows Nucor's (NYSE:NUE) Friday announcement that it would implement a minimum base price of $560/st.

Platts says its daily U.S. plate index was $555.50/st on a delivered Midwest basis; plate prices have dropped by nearly $60/st since early July in an environment of weak market conditions.

While it is uncertain whether the increases can stick given persistently weak demand, some believe the announcement could help establish a floor for plate prices, S&P Global Platts reports.

--------------------------------------------------

SSAB, ArcelorMittal move to raise US steel plate prices by $40/st

Author Ingrid Lexova
Editor Kshitiz Goliya
Commodity Metals
HIGHLIGHTS
Producers announce increase effective with new orders

Sources unsure if hike will be accepted given weak demand

Pittsburgh — SSAB informed US customers on Aug. 24 that it will increase steel plate pricing by $40/st, effective immediately, for new orders.

The announcement follows Nucor's decision to implement a minimum base price of $560/st, which was announced on Aug. 21.
The announcement applies to as-rolled plate, cut-to-length plate and hot-rolled coils over 72 inches wide, as well as normalized and quenched and tempered plate.

The latest daily Platts TSI US plate index was $555.50/st on a delivered Midwest basis. Plate prices have dropped by nearly $60/st since early July amid weak market conditions.

While sources were uncertain whether the increase had any staying power given persistently weak demand, some believed the announcement could help establish a floor for plate prices.

"Demand [is] not there, so this simply is a question of mill discipline," said one service center source. "They have a chance to put in a floor at $560/st, but that is only as good as the weakest player."

Another service center source believed the price hike would only stick if other major producers followed, but added Nucor's base price announcement could prevent the producer from announcing a price increase in the near future.

"Perhaps this can help solidify prices at the $560/st point," said a mill source, while a third service center source was more skeptical.

"The mills are going to try and dig in," said the source. "But plate demand is just not that good ... and mill order books are not very strong either."

ArcelorMittal followed with a price increase later in the day, announcing a rise in its plate pricing by $40/st, effective immediately, with all new orders.

The increase applies to all non-contractual carbon, HSLA, alloy, heat-treated and specialty plate products.

www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-ins...
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Vertraagd 10 mei 2024 17:35
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Verschil +0,200 (+0,84%)
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