Steel Market Production Cuts – ArcelorMittal announced that the Dunkirk, France facility’s #2 blast furnace will remain idled until at least the end of 1Q13, extending the original target of three months from August. The facility is expected to produce 6.1 mt this year, or about 90% of capacity, despite the shutdown.

Steel Market Production Increases – Russian steelmaker Mechel has restarted the 810,000 tpy billet plant in Otelu Rosu,Romania following a one-month outage.

Steel Market Production Increases – Ukrainian steelmaker Interpipe plans to increase production to 80-85% of capacity at the new EAF billet/bloom plant in Dnepropetrovsk, with output reaching 90,000 tpm – or 1.08 mtpy – in December and nearing nameplate capacity of 1.32 mtpy in mid-2013.

Sources: Steel Business Briefing

Steel Market Production Increases – ArcelorMittal plans to upgrade the EAF at the 1 mtpy Esch-Belval, Luxembourg facility, increasing its capacity by over 10%.

Steel Market Production Cuts – Argentinian steel producer Ternium Siderar will idle one of two blast furnaces – about half of the plant’s 3.89 mtpy capacity – for approximately four months.

Steel Market Production Cuts – Japanese steelmaker Tokyo Steel commented that it had no plans to re-start the 1.8 mtpy pickling line at the Tahara works after it was damaged by a fire, and it might not be re-started until year-end.

Steel Market Production Increases – Peruvian steelmaker Aceros Arequipa plans to increase the company’s 900,000 tpy longs capacity by adding an additional 650,000 tpy rolling mill by year-end.

Steel Market Production Increases – Danish plate processor Dansteel announced a plan to “revamp” their new rolling mill, increasing capacity to 550,000 tpy.

Steel Market Production Increases – Palestinian steelmaker Hassouneh Group will begin production at a new 300,000 tpy EAF facility in Jordan by 2Q13.

Sources: Steel Business Briefing