Mysteel: China’s daily steel output down 1.6% in mid Dec
The daily steel output decline among these steel mills including 247 blast-furnace and 101 electric-arc-furnace producers was mainly because of fewer operating blast furnaces, as some steel mills in Northwest and Northeast China have commenced the scheduled maintenance on their furnaces starting this year till the yearend.
And this has been the decline for the fifth
ten-day period, as over December 1-10, the daily crude steel output among these
steel mills already fell by 0.54% from the past ten days to 2.33 million t/d,
according to Mysteel’s survey.
The blast furnace capacity utilization among
the 247 producers, accordingly, reduced for the third straight week over December
14-20, down another 0.34 percentage point on week to 77.79% as of December 20,
or hitting its seven-month low since May 4.
It has been of little surprise for Chinese
steel mills to scale back their output as domestic steel demand has remained
comatose since the beginning of December even though steel prices have
recovered from their multi-month lows after the steep slides throughout
November, as the country is usually into its low steel demand season in winter
months.
China’s national HRB 400 20mm dia rebar inclined
to Yuan 4,028/t ($585/t) EXW and including the 16% VAT as of December 20, up Yuan 46/t
from its eight-month low of Yuan 3,982/t on December 11.
Besides, Beijing has tightened its surveillance
upon some crucial regions including the Tianjin-Beijing-Hebei area and the
Fenwei Plains starting December for their efforts in pollution control with
steel and coking being among the primary targets as January is usually a tricky
month that can face the most serious smog because of the low temperature and
lack of wind, Mysteel understands.
Until December 21, Mysteel has not received the daily crude steel production among the 97 member mills of the China’s Iron and Steel Association over November 21-30.
Written by Thea Feng, fengyx@mysteel.com
Edited by Hongmei Li, li.hongmei@mysteel.com
NBS: China Jan-Feb pig iron output dips by 11% YoY
Mar 15, 2022 18:45
China steel semis imports stall, price gap broadens
Mar 10, 2022 17:00
BLOG: How much further can iron ore price drop?
Feb 16, 2022 18:30
China releases specific targets for steel industry by 2025
Feb 08, 2022 12:30
BLOG: China's ferrous market hints bumpy road ahead
Feb 07, 2022 09:15