Italian heavy plate prices are experiencing a downward trend, attributed to reduced domestic demand and competitive, low-cost import offers, Kallanish notes.
The market is quiet, according to mill and distributor sources. Order intake is persistently low. A mill source reports that sales in September and October registered a slight improvement compared to previous months; however, tight margins and inadequate profit continue to pose significant challenges.
Producers are quoting a lead time of about two weeks. Large customers continue to purchase in limited quantities. A small distributor claims he is buying also in small quantities, primarily from producers’ stocks.
According to one source, the EU imported approximately 180,000 tonnes of plate in October. This level has been the monthly average for the past six months. Local demand continues to be met by low-cost imports from Southeast Asia. However, buyers are reporting that Asian suppliers are now raising prices, meaning values of imported and local material are largely the same.
At present, domestic S275 grade plate is priced in the range of €590-610/tonne ($620-641), while S355 is at €620/t ex-works. Producers are asking for €650/t for 355 grade.
Current booking prices for Asian slab are flat on-month at around $520-530/t cfr Italy.
Natalia Capra France
