Our forecast for the remainder of 2009 is for tinplate prices to soften modestly in developed markets. The factors that pushed tinplate prices up to record levels in the first half of the year are no longer as potent as they were: supply is not as tight and stock levels are not as low. European and US mills appear to have overproduced slightly relative to final demand, which is understandable given the margins that were possible on tinplate. They seem likely now to be forced to lowertheir spot market prices from late quarter three onwards.
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