ArcelorMittal invests in Fos-sur-Mer
ArcelorMittal is installing a ladle furnace at its facility in Fos-sur-Mer, southern France for an investment of €73 million ($79m), Kallanish notes.
The investment includes €15m from the French state as part of the “France Relance” growth plan. The new furnace will contribute to reducing the plant’s emissions by 10% and “significantly increase the use of recycled steel in the steelmaking process by 2025”, the firm says in a note. It adds that this is a further step forward in the reduction of the plant’s carbon footprint by 2030, which includes the start of a new electric arc furnace that will allow to cut emissions by 35%.
The new EAF will be operational from 2027 and will replace one blast furnace by the end of the decade. At present, ArcelorMittal has two blast furnaces at Fos-sur-Mer.
The French government will support the overall project with an investment of €1.7 billion. ArcelorMittal and the French government signed last year a strategic partnership for these investments (see Kallanish 7 February 2022).
Natalia Capra France
Falling demand, prices slash Stalprofil earnings
Stalprofil reported a 30% on-year slump in first-half-of-2023 revenue to PLN 449.8 million ($110.6m) and 87% drop in net profit to PLN 8.3m amid volatile market conditions, the firm indicates in its preliminary results.
H1 2022 was a unique period that saw a sudden spike in demand and record-high prices after the outbreak of war in Ukraine. The same period a year later was meanwhile characterised by falling demand and a continuation of the price downtrend that began in the second quarter of 2022, the Polish distributor says.
“The low level of public and private investment and the resulting weaker demand for steel products are reflected in the national statistics of steel production and consumption,” Stalprofil says in a note seen by Kallanish. The Polish Steel Association reported 14.3% on-year lower national crude steel output in the first four months of 2023, while apparent steel demand slumped 21.2%.
Steel prices fell across the board in H1, including for long products which account for the majority of Stalprofil’s offering. Prices in Poland for HEB 200 beams were 35% on-year lower in June and down 12% from March.
The firm took into account the decrease in steel prices, updating the value of its steel product inventory. The total balance of write-downs on inventories of steel products at end-June lowered the firm’s second-quarter gross profit by PLN 6m.
Adam Smith Poland
EU HRC market stable; producers lack unified pricing approach
Steelmakers, in the meantime, lacked a unified approach to pricing as some continued to give discounts to sell volumes and others have made unsuccessful attempts to raise offers to Eur680-700/mt delivered, sources said.
“Customers asking [for a] lower price in EU,” a distributor said. “Generally, in prices, there is a rollover situation—no real movement and no real consumption.”
“It is an interesting market at the moment as some mills are asking for higher prices, but I think it is most likely to stop the price decline,” a trader said.
Platts assessed domestic HRC prices in Northwest Europe at Eur640/mt ex-works Ruhr Aug. 7, unchanged.
Market participants estimated tradable values at Eur620-650/mt EXW Ruhr and at Eur650/mt delivered Germany.
A trader reported a deal at Eur580/mt EXW Ruhr, but it was excluded from the assessment as other market participants did not confirm the transaction.
Platts assessed domestic HRC prices in South Europe also unchanged at Eur635/mt EXW Italy Aug. 7.
Author Maria Tanatar
European HRC market quiet amid holidays stoppages
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Northern Europe was calculated at €645.83 ($710.69) per tonne on Monday, unchanged from Friday August 4.
Most mills have withdrawn from the market as is typical for this time of year.
During the week to Friday August 4, producers in Northern Europe were offering November-rolling HRC at around €700 per tonne EXW.
Meanwhile, buyers’ estimates of the tradable level were heard at €630-650 per tonne EXW on Friday.
Activity was essentially non-existent across the European HRC market. Some sources were optimistic that demand and prices could pick up in September, Fastmarkets heard.
Fastmarkets’ daily steel hot-rolled coil index domestic, exw Italy was calculated at €636.25 per tonne on Monday, unchanged from Friday.
The Italian market was in holiday mode and most mills and buyers were inactive.
Buyers’ estimates for workable prices for September-October-delivery HRC were reported at €630-640 per tonne ex-works during the week to August 5.
No fresh import offers were reported.
Published by: India-Inés Levy
Klöckner sees increasing low-emission steel products acceptance
Steels that are certified as low-carbon-emission products have so far been demanded mainly in Europe and by big users, but are gaining ground in other segments and regions, Klöckner & Co observes.
When asked about buyers’ acceptance of CO2-reduced product premiums, chief executive Guido Kerkhoff said during a recent conference that it was “good in principle”, but varied by segment and region. Comparing the distribution group’s two main markets, he explained the level of acceptance in Europe is better than in the USA, “but they [US buyers] are catching up”.
Also, “green” steel is primarily a domain of the big user groups like the automotive industry, while small and medium-sized customers are content with receiving “some kind of certificate”, he added. However, “inquiries are increasing and interest is becoming more profound,” Kallanish heard him say during the conference.
“The wind is changing in the USA as well, so in the premium segment you will not be able any more to offer only grey and black standard products,” he observed.
He did not elaborate on the short-term future, when more costly CO2-reduced material in Europe could face a hard time amid continued sluggish demand. In a different context, he stated that “on the domestic market, we need to prepare for rough competition for low volumes”.
Last year, Klöckner introduced its own low-CO2 steel brand under the name of Nexigen. In spring, it launched the Nexigen PCF Algorithm, which can be used to determine the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) for almost all its products. More recently, it presented a tracking solution that allows customers to view their emissions history for products purchased from the company.
Christian Koehl Germany
Italian stainless coil orders pick up
Italian stainless steel coil prices are increasing after values reached rock bottom in July. European producers are hiking by approximately €100/tonne ($109) and contracted prices are seen rising accordingly in September for hot and cold rolled coil for October delivery, sources tell Kallanish.
Much of the market is now on holiday in Italy and in other European countries. Italian mills’ order intake improved in July and the first days of August. This follows a long period of quiet activity and contracting orders. Local service centres have bought some volumes for July, August and September delivery, while some deliveries are being delayed due to the August production stoppages.
At present, asking prices for October-delivery stainless CRC in Italy are at €2,300-2,350/t delivered on average, and some €150/t less for HRC. CRC with trimmed edges is transacting at about €2,200/t delivered, with HRC at about €2,000-2,050/t delivered, sources suggest.
Two Italian buyers say prices will have to increase for coils and derivatives in September but volumes will remain limited. Service centres’ clients are reported to have some work, but their activity remains low. Purchases in September should surge for October deliveries, owing to market seasonality. At present, however, distributors are reporting a low level of orders and a continuing wait-and-see attitude.
Natalia Capra France
Summer demand slump downs Turkey’s coated steel prices
Turkey’s coated flat steel market experienced reduced activity on Monday, with prices slightly down due to sluggish demand both domestically and in export markets amid the ongoing holiday season, market participants inform Kallanish.
Availability of September-shipment coated steel from domestic mills exerted some pressure on prices. However, this situation was anticipated and therefore the impact on prices was limited.
On exports, some producers expected increased demand for Turkey-origin coated steel from Ukraine, whose buyers will use this to substitute for China-origin supply after Ukraine imposed a definitive anti-dumping duty on Chinese product effective 12 August.
Turkish domestic prices
| Product | Price, ex-works, cash | W-o-w change, $/t |
| CRC 1 mm | $760-800/t | -20/+10 |
| HDG 0.50mm Z60 | $830-855/t | 0/-15 |
| HDG 0.50mm Z100 | $830-875/t | 0/-15 |
| PPGI 0.50mm Ral 9002 5+15 | $925-980/t | 0/-10 |
| HDG 2.00mm Z60 | $760-800/t | -10-15 |
Source: Kallanish market survey
Elina Virchenko UAE
Klöckner & Co: Erwerb von National Material of Mexico abgeschlossen
Nach der Genehmigung der zuständigen Kartellbehörden hat Klöckner & Co den Erwerb von National Material of Mexico („NMM“) vollzogen. NMM ist ein führendes unabhängiges Service-Center-Unternehmen sowie Anbieter von Werkstoffen für die Automobilindustrie und andere industrielle Endmärkte in Nordamerika und mit zehn Standorten in Mexiko vertreten. Durchgeführt wurde die im Dezember 2022 vereinbarte Transaktion über die US-Tochtergesellschaft Kloeckner Metals Corporation („KMC“).
Durch den Erwerb von NMM kann KMC seine Präsenz in Mexiko deutlich ausbauen und seine Position dort stärken, wo die bedeutendsten Automobil- und Industriekunden ansässig sind. Da sich die beiden Unternehmen bei der regionalen Abdeckung, den Kundensegmenten und mit Blick auf die starke Position von NMM im Automobilsektor hervorragend ergänzen, bringt der Zusammenschluss Vorteile für beide Unternehmen.
Zukauf gilt als „ideale Ergänzung“
Guido Kerkhoff, Vorstandsvorsitzender der Klöckner & Co SE: „Der Abschluss dieser Transaktion stellt einen wichtigen Meilenstein auf dem Weg zur Umsetzung unserer Unternehmensstrategie ‚Klöckner & Co 2025: Leveraging Strengths‘ dar. Dadurch werden wir unsere führende Position in der Stahl- und Metalldistribution sowie im Stahl- Service-Geschäft in Nordamerika langfristig weiter stärken. Ab sofort profitieren unsere Kunden von einem noch größeren Produkt- und Service-Portfolio.“
John Ganem, CEO von Kloeckner Metals Corporation: „In National Material of Mexico haben wir die ideale Ergänzung gefunden, um die Kloeckner Metals Corporation erfolgreich in die Zukunft zu führen. Wir freuen uns auf die Zusammenarbeit mit dem starken Team von National Material of Mexico und sind uns sicher, dass wir unsere Erfolgsgeschichte auf dem nordamerikanischen Markt gemeinsam fortschreiben werden.“
Das kombinierte Unternehmen deckt mit 56 Standorten und rund 2.600 Beschäftigten alle relevanten Regionen der USA und Mexikos auf breiter Basis ab. Künftig will das Unternehmen seine Marktposition weiter ausbauen, sein Produktangebot erweitern und die bestehenden Kundenbeziehungen durch Cross-Selling ausweiten. Zudem erhalten die Kunden von KMC einen besseren Zugang zu Elektroband, um die steigenden Investitionen in erneuerbare Energien und die zunehmende Nachfrage nach E-Mobilität in Nordamerika zu unterstützen. NMM soll Schritt für Schritt unter der Marke Kloeckner Metals positioniert werden. Das überaus erfahrene Managementteam von NMM mit Carl Grobien und Steve Badyna wird dem Unternehmen erhalten bleiben und das Wachstum weiter vorantreiben.
Weitere Meldungen aus der Rubrik Markt finden Sie > hier.
Source: stahleisen.de
Pader-Stahl wird Teil der EHG Gruppe aus Österreich
Die österreichische EHG Gruppe, ein führendes Stahl- und Metallhandelsunternehmen in Europa, übernimmt den Stahlhändler Pader-Stahl aus Paderborn. Mit diesem Schritt baut EHG die Präsenz in Deutschland und insbesondere im Bundesland Nordrhein-Westfalen aus.
Die EHG Gruppe expandiert weiter in Nordrhein-Westfalen und übernimmt über ihre Tochtergesellschaft in Bad Oeynhausen das Unternehmen Pader-Stahl Handels-GmbH mit Sitz in Paderborn. Die Übernahme erfolgt in zwei Etappen: 50% rückwirkend zum 01.01.2023, die restlichen 50% per 31.12.2026.
„Mit der schrittweisen Übernahme des Unternehmens Pader-Stahl bauen wir unsere Präsenz in Nordrhein-Westfalen aus. Wir sind dadurch in der Lage, unsere Kunden in unserer Region noch schneller und besser zu beliefern. Zudem können wir viele Synergien – vor allem im Verbund mit EHG in Bad Oeynhausen – nutzen“, betont Detlef Schwer, Geschäftsführer von EHG Stahl.Metall Bad Oeynhausen.
Stahlhändler Pader-Stahl verfügt über zwei Standorte
Pader-Stahl ist ein lagerhaltender Stahlhändler und verfügt über ein breites Portfolio an Stahl und Metall. Die gehandelten Produkte werden auch bearbeitet, vor allem gesägt. „Wir freuen uns, mit Pader-Stahl ein kerngesundes und vielversprechendes Unternehmen in der EHG Gruppe begrüßen zu können. Es ist in den letzten Jahren stark gewachsen und kann diesen Kurs nunmehr mit unserer Kraft im Rücken weiter fortsetzen“, so die beiden Geschäftsführer der EHG Gruppe Markus Lutz und Stefan Girardi.
Pader-Stahl hat derzeit rund 40 Mitarbeitende an zwei Standorten in Paderborn beschäftigt. Das Unternehmen kann durch die Zugehörigkeit zur EHG Gruppe das eigene Produktsortiment massiv ausbauen und von 60 Jahren Erfahrung im Stahl- und Metallhandel profitieren. „Wir freuen uns sehr, von nun an Teil der EHG Familie zu sein. Dadurch können wir auf jahrzehntelanges Know-how zurückgreifen und unser Sortiment erweitern, wovon schlussendlich unsere Kunden profitieren werden“, sagen die beiden Geschäftsführer von Pader-Stahl Helmut Schwarzkopf und Michael Agethen.
Pader-Stahl wird bis zur vollständigen Übernahme von der bestehenden Geschäftsführung unter der Nutzung von operativen Synergien selbständig weitergeführt. Weitere Integrationsschritte erfolgen erst nach der vollständigen Übernahme im Jahr 2027. Strategisch will die EHG Gruppe dabei langfristig auf den Standort Paderborn setzen.
Weitere Meldungen aus der Rubrik Markt finden Sie > hier.
Foto: EHG Gruppe
Source: stahleisen.de
European HRC moves sideways amid summer slowdown
The European hot-rolled coil market traded sideways Aug. 4 as most players were absent from the spot market.
Sources said some mills were hinting at future price rises following the summer when restocking activities are expected, but that current trading was limited.
“Mills and end-users are keeping a low profile at the moment,” said a Benelux distributor.
“Our stock is sufficient including for September. Not sure where prices will go, so no reason to buy now,” the distributor added.
An Italian mill offer for September was heard at Eur700/mt EXW Italy minimum Aug. 4 but no business was reported at that level.
Sources said some mills were slowly positioning themselves for expected restocking activity after August and were thinking about increasing offer prices.
However, some sources said this would rather be to maintain current price levels amid a mixed view on sustained price increases in Q4.
The European market is expected to remain quiet in August amid maintenance works and summer stoppages at suppliers.
Platts daily HRC assessments in Italy and in the Ruhr region were assessed unchanged Aug. 4 at Eur635/mt EXW Italy and Eur640/mt EXW Ruhr, respectively.
Platts is part of S&P Global Commodity Insights.
Author Laura Varriale