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Try the Free AI Search EngineMixed Signals in European Steel: Italian Plate Prices Stable Amidst Rebar Declines; Plant Activity Varies
European steel markets present a mixed picture, with Italian heavy plate prices showing stability while rebar prices decline, as indicated by the articles “Italian plate hikes fail amid sluggish post-holiday restart” and “European longs market mostly stable, Italian rebar prices decline“. These price fluctuations do not appear to have a direct, immediate correlation with the observed activity levels at the StavStal Metallurgical Plant, BEKAERT HLOHOVEC, A.S., and Makstil Skopje Steel plant, based on available data.
Overall, activity levels across the observed plants experienced fluctuations during the observed period. The average activity level for all plants in Europe shows considerable volatility month-on-month. StavStal Metallurgical Plant demonstrates a relatively stable activity level, hovering in the low 70s, peaking at 75% in September. BEKAERT HLOHOVEC, A.S. experienced a steady increase in activity from April (38%) to September (67%), showing more substantial growth than other plants observed. Makstil Skopje Steel plant’s activity remains relatively stable throughout the period, fluctuating between 44% and 48%.
StavStal Metallurgical Plant, located in Stavropol Krai, Russia, is an EAF-based plant with a crude steel capacity of 500,000 tonnes per annum, focusing on semi-finished and finished rolled products like rebar and wire rod. Its activity levels remained relatively stable, increasing to 75% in September. No direct link between this stable activity and the price fluctuations described in the news articles can be established.
BEKAERT HLOHOVEC, A.S., situated in Tyrnauer Landschaftsverband, Slovakia, produces wire rod for the automotive and construction sectors. The plant showed an increase in activity from 38% in April to 67% in September. This positive trend contrasts with the generally weak demand cited in “European rebar, wire rod prices on downward track“, suggesting possible regional factors or specific contracts driving production.
Makstil Skopje Steel plant, located in Skopje, North Macedonia, has a crude steel capacity of 550,000 tonnes per annum and produces slabs using EAF technology. The plant’s activity remained relatively stable, without significant fluctuations. No direct relationship can be established between its production and the market trends described in the provided news.
The article “Italian plate hikes fail amid sluggish post-holiday restart” indicates subdued demand impacting price increases in the heavy plate market. Despite this, “Italy steel heavy plate prices narrow upward ibn new deals; CBAM costs built into import offers” suggests that Italian heavy plate prices experienced a slight increase due to new deals, potentially reflecting localized dynamics. The “European longs market mostly stable, Italian rebar prices decline” highlights a decline in Italian rebar prices, despite overall stability in the European longs market. This is further corroborated by “European rebar, wire rod prices on downward track” which attributes the decrease to weak demand, falling scrap prices and import pressure.
Given the decreasing rebar prices in Italy coupled with stable activity at StavStal Metallurgical Plant (producing rebar and wire rod), steel buyers should closely monitor import prices from Turkey and Indonesia, mentioned in “European longs market mostly stable, Italian rebar prices decline“. Diversifying supply sources while prices are suppressed could be beneficial. Considering the consistent increase in activity at BEKAERT HLOHOVEC, A.S., wire rod buyers should engage directly with the supplier to understand potential supply dynamics, potentially securing contracts before prices rebound.