Stainless Steel

摘要

Western European crude steel output was marginally higher in Q1 2013 than anticipated. Reported data confirmed that a small amount of restocking took place in Europe, but far less than during the same period last year-output was down almost 3% y-y. European production has been negatively affected by the downturn in apparent demand and soft stainless prices to date during Q2. We expect output to be down around 6% y-y for the quarter. Some of the decrease in European crude steel production in Q2 and Q3 this year is also likely to be accounted for by the gradual ramp-down at Outokumpu's Krefeld plant and the reduction in Terni's shipments of HR coil to Mexico and the USA.