Italian section producers seek increases

Italian beam and merchant bar producers are seeking €30/tonne ($34/t) increases on average because of the increased cost of energy and price hikes expected for domestic scrap in November, Kallanish notes.

Section prices have lost €30/t on average compared to the beginning of the month in line with other long products in the country. Demand, particularly for merchant bar, remains unreliable, with buyers only purchasing back-to-back. Market sources say domestic merchant bar is trading at €450-470/tonne base ex-works while producers are now asking €480-490/t base ex-works. Including €420/t average size extras, local material is at €870-890/t ex-works, sources suggest.

Beam values are now at €570-580/t base ex-work, down from €600/t base ex-works of the beginning of the month. Producers are seeking €620/t ex-works. Including €380-390/t average size extras, the first category of beams is at €960-990/t ex-works. Prices increase by €20/t for each subsequent category, sources say.

Natalia Capra France