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Try the Free AI Search EngineAsian Steel Market Surges on Trade Deal Hopes: India & China Lead Production
Asia’s steel market is showing strong positive sentiment, fueled by ongoing trade negotiations involving India and the EU, as well as the US. Plant activity data show increased production in India and China. Activity at the Tata Steel Kalinganagar plant (India) and Dongbei Special Steel Group Dalian Special Steel Co., Ltd. (China) aligns with the positive outlook surrounding the potential finalization of trade agreements reported in “India-EU Trade Pact In Endgame; December Deadline On The Horizon” and “India-US Trade Deal: Farmer, MSME, Fisherfolk Interests To Be Protected, Says Piyush Goyal“. However, the North Nippon Muroran Works steel plant activity declines cannot be directly linked to the provided news.
The mean steel plant activity across Asia reached a high of 43% in May but dropped to 23% by October, indicating volatility and potentially signaling production adjustments ahead of expected trade agreement conclusions.
Tata Steel Kalinganagar steel plant: Located in Odisha, India, this integrated (BF) steel plant has a crude steel capacity of 3000 ttpa and relies on BF/BOF technology with a captive iron ore mine. The plant is certified under ResponsibleSteelCertification and primarily serves the automotive sector with finished rolled products. The plant maintained consistently high activity relative to the mean, peaking at 57% in July 2025 before decreasing to 49% in October, but continues to operate well above the Asian average. This high sustained activity aligns with optimism surrounding trade agreements like the one mentioned in “India-EU Trade Pact In Endgame; December Deadline On The Horizon,” suggesting increased output in anticipation of expanded market access.
North Nippon Muroran Works steel plant: Situated in Hokkaidō, Japan, this integrated (BF) steel plant with both BOF and EAF processes has a crude steel capacity of 2598 ttpa. It produces semi-finished and finished rolled products, including bars and wires, for the automotive sector. The plant’s activity started relatively high at 52% in April and peaked at 55% in July. A significant drop to 39% in October is observed. This decrease in activity does not correlate directly with any specific information in the provided news articles, suggesting other factors are at play (e.g., domestic demand shifts, maintenance).
Dongbei Special Steel Group Dalian Special Steel Co., Ltd.: Located in Liaoning, China, this integrated (BF) steel plant has a crude steel capacity of 1540 ttpa. It produces stainless steel bars and wires and automotive steel. The plant showed a consistently high activity level, ranging from 78-80% from May to October. This strong performance could be linked to broader global demand and Chinese export strategies, but no specific connection to the provided news articles can be directly established.
Evaluated Market Implications:
Based on the data, the Indian and Chinese markets demonstrate robust activity likely driven by anticipation of new trade agreements, as highlighted in “India-EU Trade Pact In Endgame; December Deadline On The Horizon” and “India-US Trade Deal: Farmer, MSME, Fisherfolk Interests To Be Protected, Says Piyush Goyal“. The decline in activity at the North Nippon Muroran Works steel plant in Japan is notable and not directly explained by the available news.
Recommended Procurement Actions:
- For Steel Buyers: Given the high production levels at Tata Steel Kalinganagar (India), consider increasing procurement from this plant to capitalize on potential price advantages arising from increased export opportunities linked to the India-EU trade pact.
- For Market Analysts: Monitor the North Nippon Muroran Works steel plant activity closely. The recent drop signals a potential supply shift in the Japanese market. Investigate local market conditions to determine the underlying causes and anticipate price fluctuations. The news article “European Council Approves ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’, Supports Efforts To Conclude FTA” highlights the EU’s commitment to the trade agreement with India.