Italian sections producers seek increases

Italian sections producers are pushing up their prices by €50/tonne ($56), as other long products makers in the country are mulling similar increases, Kallanish hears.

The largest sections mill in the market was quoting at €670-680/t for the first category of beams until a few days ago. Prices increase by €20/t for each subsequence category. New quotes should push asking prices up to €720/t base ex-works.

Contract prices for the first category of sections remain stable on last week at €670-680/t ex-works. Values for the first category of beam were at €570-580/t base ex-works last month. Including €380-390/t average size extras, domestic beams contracts are hovering at €1,050-1,070/t ex-works, sources suggest.

The current hike is due to strong raw material price increases. It may be followed by another increase in the coming weeks as energy costs and domestic scrap prices are forecast to continue climbing in March, Kallanish hears.

Natalia Capra France