Stainless Steel--Production remains fragile, yet there is potential on the horizon

摘要

A stagnant stainless steel industry in China, easing demand from end-users in Europe, and weak, yet unchanged conditions in North America underpin the delicate climate in which stainless steel producers currently operate. The year-on-year increase in melted stainless steel production of 2.1 percent in February was initially expected to further boost recovery. Yet, world stainless steel output fell in March by 4.8 percent, indicating that the overall picture for production remains fragile. Mill output is estimated to have picked up in the second quarter of 2008, but growth is likely to have been relatively modest.