EU distribution flats’ shipments uptick in 2017

European steel distributors’ association Eurometal tells Kallanish that European Union (EU) distribution sector flat product’s shipments rose slightly in 2017. Flats’ inventories at the year-end were unchanged year-on-year but differing developments were noted within the range of products, Eurometal says.

Flat steel service centres saw EU shipments increase, albeit slightly, by 0.2%% on-year in 2017 following 5 months of increase. The overall positive trend was registered for both hot- and cold-rolled flats, and galvanised and other coated flats.

The index for stock volumes at flat steel service centres meanwhile closed at 107 at the end of December, the same as in December 2016. Within the product portfolio there were different developments however, Eurometal notes.

The stock index of galvanized and other coated flats registered in December at high 127 (December 2016= 110). The stock index for hot rolled flats, conversely dropped to 93, and that for cold rolled flats lowered to 99, from 104 and 106 respectively in December 2016.

EU Multi-Product & Proximity Stockholding distribution shipments also fell in 2017, by -0.8% y-o-y.

“Among the product lines sold by EU multi-product & proximity steel stockholding distribution, only hot rolled flats, cold rolled flats and tubes registered in 2017 higher shipments than in 2016,” Eurometal confirms.

The index for stock volumes in this sector was at 101 in December versus an index of 99 in the same month of the previous year.