BIR World Mirror on Stainless Steel & Special Alloys

Dear colleagues,

This year started with healthy demand and with expected crude stainless steel output within Europe.

The low oil price and recent foreign exchange developments have led to increased economic growth forecasts within Europe, particularly in export-oriented economies.

Lower oil prices are reducing production costs for many nickel products and so the metal’s price did not reach anticipated levels, such that leading analysts have cut their price forecasts.

Ferrous scrap prices have come under heavy pressure mainly as a result of the low iron ore price, and if this trend continues it will have an effect on the availability of scrap. Ferro-chrome prices have also fallen in the first quarter.

Overall, stainless scrap pricing has been disappointing and will most probably result in lower availability throughout the forthcoming month.


Joost  van Kleef
KMR Stainless B.V.
Chairman of the BIR Stainless Steel & Special Alloys Committee

Read the full market report in our members' area.