Fimi upgrades slitting line at SSC Vogten Staal
Fimi Group has completed the supply and installation of a new Flytronic Flying Shear at Dutch service centre Vogten Staal, Maastricht, integrating it into an existing levelling and cut-to-length (CTL) line.
The project was developed as part of a revamping initiative aimed at improving the reliability and performance of the cutting section, Kallanish hears from the technology supplier.
The flying shear upgrade allows the customer to achieve a more stable and reliable cutting process, reducing operational issues and contributing to increased overall line efficiency, Fimi explains.
Within a CTL line, the flying shear is one of the most critical sections, as it directly impacts overall line productivity, according to Fimi.
When processing heavy-gauge and high-strength steels, increased mechanical loads require a purpose-designed heavy-duty solution featuring properly dimensioned structural design and advanced control systems.
For this reason, downstream processors and steel service centres are increasingly focusing on targeted retrofit projects involving the upgrade of key components and machines within existing lines, Fimi notes.
Polish long steel prices remain stable on subdued demand
Rebar and wire rod prices in the Polish domestic market remained stable in the week to Friday February 20, despite mills’ attempt to push for higher offer levels, Fastmarkets heard.
According to market sources, mills were increasing their offers on long steel products, but buyers were still resisting rises while demand remained low in the country during the winter months.
For wire rod, drawing quality, offers from mills were reported within the range of 2,900-2,950 zloty ($812-826) per tonne delivered, but estimates of workable prices were lower, at 2,700-2,780 zloty per tonne delivered.
A deal for small tonnages of wire rod was heard at 2,750 zloty per tonne delivered.
“Demand is stable but low. We are not seeing increases yet,” one market source said, adding that demand for wire rod should pick up in the spring when consumption from key sectors, such as construction, was expected to increase.
Another trade source said that the market would not yet “accept” price increases, because end-customers were in no rush to place new orders.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel wire rod (drawing quality), domestic, delivered Poland, was 2,700-2,780 zloty per tonne on Wednesday, unchanged week on week.
Meanwhile, for rebar, offers from mills varied within the range of 2,550-2,600 zloty per tonne CPT. No new trading was reported during the assessment period.
Fastmarkets’ weekly price assessment for steel reinforcing bar (rebar), domestic, cpt Poland, was 2,550-2,600 zloty per tonne on Wednesday, also stable week on week.
Long lead times, lack of competition from imports push European domestic HRC prices higher
European domestic hot-rolled coil prices continued to move higher, supported by extended mill lead times and a lack of meaningful competition from imports. With buyers facing limited availability from regional producers and few attractively priced foreign offers, mills gradually pushed through higher prices despite cautious demand.
Producers gradually started offering May-delivery coils with April-delivery order books largely filled at some mills.
The market leader ArcelorMittal reported offers for Northern Europe for May-delivery coils at €720 ($848.35) per tonne delivered last week, netting back to €705 per tonne ex-works.
Mills in Germany followed the pricing direction set by the market leader with May-delivery offers heard at €700 per tonne ex-works versus €680 per tonne ex-works for April delivery.
A producer from the Benelux area applied a less bullish increase to offers, with May-delivery coils available at €680 per tonne ex-works versus €670 per tonne ex-works for April delivery.
“Italian and German coil producers are continuing to push for price increases, following ArcelorMittal’s lead, despite sluggish market activity. Mills cite long lead times and limited import competition as key support,” one buyer said.
Customer uptake of higher prices remained slow, with some minor volumes heard sold at €690 per tonne ex-works last week. This week buyers continued to say that this price was possible only for small tonnages, with estimates of workable prices varying within the range of €650-680 per tonne ex-works, with no major sales heard during the day.
“Prices are definitely not driven by demand but rather fear of higher import costs [carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and safeguard],” another source said.
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Northern Europe was €682.29 per tonne on Monday February 23, up by €2.29 per tonne from €680 per tonne on Friday February 20.
The index was up by €22.29 per tonne week on week and by €39.79 per tonne month on month.
Italian producers followed a similar strategy. May-delivery coil offers varied within the range of €680-700 per tonne ex-works, depending on the producer. April-delivery coils were available at €670-680 per tonne ex-works.
Estimates of workable prices varied within a wide range of €650-670 per tonne ex-works, with one seller saying they were not ready to sell below €660 per tonne ex-works.
“There is no reliable upcoming demand, restocking is only done to secure completion of contracted orders,” the second source said.
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Italy was calculated at €665.63 per tonne ex-works on February 23 versus €661.32 per tonne ex-works on February 20.
The index was up by €14.03 per tonne week on week and by €30.63 per tonne month on month.
HRC import offers from Turkey for April shipment were heard in Italy at €520 per tonne CFR, excluding anti-dumping duties and carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) costs, according to the first source.
A third source said Turkish material was available at €640 per tonne DDP in Southern Europe and Algerian coil was offered at €630 per tonne DDP in the North and the South.
Asian HRC offers from traders were reported at €660-670 per tonne DDP, including CBAM and anti-dumping duties, for April-May shipment, the first source added.