WEEKLY: China's HRC output inches higher again

Hot-rolled coil (HRC) production among the 37 Chinese steelmakers regularly surveyed by Mysteel edged up for a fourth successive week during January 8-14 to register 3.08 million tonnes, the latest survey results showed. The total was higher by just a tiny 28,500 tonnes or 0.93% on week, however.

As most steel mills could still enjoy some profits on HRC sales during the survey week, many opted to bring hot strip mills and melt shops back online from overhauls, as reported, leading coil supplies to continue mounting, market sources noted. Consequently, the HRC rolling capacity utilization rate among the