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Very Positive Sentiment in Asian Steel Market Amid Rising Plant Activity

The Asian steel market is experiencing a surge in activity, buoyed by economic optimism and strategic investments. Recent insights from the news articles titled US economy expands by 4.3pc in 3Q and US inflation slows to 2.7pc in November illustrate a favorable economic backdrop, as rising confidence in U.S. manufacturing is reflected in increased steel plant operations across Asia.

Bar chart and satellite map of steel production activity in Asia

In the Kalyani Steels Hospet plant, activity remains strong with a consistent 63% in both September and October, significantly above the mean for Asia, indicating robust production capabilities in response to growing demand from the automotive and infrastructure sectors. This aligns with the economic expansion discussed in “US economy expands by 4.3pc in 3Q,” suggesting that rising consumer spending is positively impacting local steel markets, even though no direct correlation to U.S. manufacturing shifts can be established.

The JSW Steel Dolvi plant displayed a notable activity fluctuation, with a peak of 51% in October, buoyed by enhanced operations aligned with increasing energy and construction demands. The persistent focus on finished and semi-finished products positions JSW favorably within the infrastructure sector, yet recent investment trends remain disconnected from the plant’s activity levels as observed.

Nippon Sanyo Special Steel’s steady performance at around 61-62% throughout the observed months illustrates stability, which contrasts with the downward trend in mean activity in October (23%). The plant’s strong performance may indirectly benefit from the heightened manufacturing confidence discussed by Trump, but no explicit link can be drawn.

With the observed trends, steel buyers should consider increasing procurement from Kalyani and JSW given their productivity and market responsiveness to rising demand. Additionally, it is recommended to monitor developments surrounding economic policies that could influence supply chains impacting these plants, as the market sentiment indicates a favorable environment for investment and growth in the steel sector across Asia.