BIR World Mirror on Stainless Steel & Special Alloys - Issue October 2016

Significant pressure on processor margins

Stainless steel crude output has been slightly lower than forecasted over recent months in the EU and, most probably, the total for 2016 as a whole will be quite similar to that for 2015.
In fact, there has been almost no growth in stainless steel production; penetration of final product into the EU market remains significant but shifts in origin are clearly visible.

Against this backdrop, demand for stainless scrap has declined slightly to match an availability which has suffered from volatility in underlying nickel, chrome and ferrous prices.

In general, conditions within the stainless recycling industry are not healthy, with almost all the leading processors confronted by significant pressure on margins.

Joost  van Kleef (Oryx Stainless B.V.),
Chairman of the BIR Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee

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