Demand for hot-rolled coil is steady across the Nordic region with total sales tonnages in 2016, so far, exceeding those in the same period in 2016, according to a recent market report.
Hot-rolled plate prices are stable at present, and buyers do not foresee substantial increases before the year-end.
In Sweden, demand from the commercial vehicle and building sectors is strong.
Regional producers’ strong order loads are putting upward pressure on cold-rolled coil selling figures, and buyers believe that they will have to concede some part of the mills’ proposed price increase.
Galvanised coil sellers report continued good sales to the automotive supply chain, but supply in Europe is limited due to earlier mill outages, it is claimed.
Chinese material is available but some buyers are cautious regarding quality.
In Europe, excess wire rod production capacity persists, but order intake is slow and a dramatic change in market conditions is unlikely.
Structural section demand is strong from the construction sector, but after steep increases during Q2, selling figures are on a downward trend, following raw material costs.
Merchant bar transaction values continue on a downward trend and may slide further. Sluggish consumption and decreased input costs contributed to the fall in prices.
Source: European Steel Review Supplement - September Edition