German and Luxembourg steel sections’ output remains firm

Structural steel products made in Germany have not been hit significantly by production cuts as have finished products for other purposes, such as coil and SBQ steel.

In the same way that rebar production has remained nearly unchanged at many mills since the start of virus-related quarantine measures (see Kallanish 8 April), this is similar for sections. Stahlwerk Thüringen has full order books, and no problems with materials supply, according to public radio broadcaster MDR. Difficulties occur only with transport to badly-affected countries such as Italy and France, MDR cites the management as saying.

In nearby Luxembourg, beams and sheet piling production at ArcelorMittal’s plants in Differdange and Belval were closed only for one week in late March, and were then restarted. The company said earlier that production there continues to thrive as does the construction sector. Differdange makes beams for high rise dwellings and other special projects.

Salzgitter AG reports that it has introduced short-time working at its Peine sections mill, but “… due to declining demand, which was evident before the coronavirus crisis measures were introduced,” a spokesman tells Kallanish.

The German interest group for steel used in construction, Bauforum Stahl, recently issued a statement saying that construction customers can rest assured that the supply of sections, as well as plate, is safe.