Steel industry is entering a critical period

摘要

The next few months should determine if the industry is headed toward a soft landing, a crash landing or no landing at all. "It's far too soon to be talk that way," said Curtis H. Barnette, chairman of Bethlehem Steel Corp. Speaking at the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Annual Meeting, Barnette was saying there might not be any downturn at all. Also due in the near future are decisions on new ironmaking and steel-making processes. Of special interest is the proposed steelmaking demonstration plant based on the use of iron carbide. "The decision on whether we go forward will probably come in late summer or early fall," said Gordon Geiger, who is part of the carbide team that includes Nucor, U.S. Steel and Praxair. These were just a few of the topics aired at the recent annual meeting. Coming with the steel industry facing market uncertainty, technical changes and surging mini mill capacity, the meeting produced widely ranging discussions.