Steel Market Production Cuts – According to the China Iron & Steel Association, China’s daily steel output fell by 1.5% in the last ten days of March compared to the previous ten days. During this period there were at least five major steelmakers under maintenance.

Steel Market Production Cuts – Italian longs producer Leali has announced that it is permanently idling its rebar rolling mill at Roe Volciano. The 400,000 tpy capacity mill has been idled since early 2011.

Steel Market Production Cuts – Lebanon’s only steelmaker Kfoury Metals has suspended production due to the high cost of fuel oil used to operate its captive power plant. The producer has 180,000 tpy billet capacity that is used to supply its 400,000 tpy rebar mill.

Steel Market Production Increases – Chinese seamless pipe producer Anhui Tianda Oil Pipe plans to double capacity at its 300,000 tpy high-grade seamless plant by the end of 2012. This move would bring the company’s total seamless capacity to 950,000 tpy.

Steel Market Production Increases – Saudi Steel Producer SABIC is close to completing construction of its new long product works. The new facility will have 1 million tonnes per year of EAF-based billet capacity and a 700,000 tpy wire rod mill.

Sources: Steel Business Briefing, MetalBulletin