Argentinian steelmaker Ternium Siderar expects to reduce crude steel output by 10-15 percent, as a result of a shutdown at its No. 1 blast furnace, located at its General Savio plant, in the city of Ramallo, a top executive told reporters during a press meeting at the Alacero conference in Buenos Aires.
Martin Berardi, general director at Siderar and president of Alacero, Latin America’s steel association, said crude steel output will be reduced by 10-15 percent, despite the efforts of the company in increasing output at its No. 2 blast furnace.
“We can’t export [steel]. If the domestic market isn’t going well, the export market isn’t possible either,” the executive said. Later, in the same press conference, the executive commented that shutting down a blast furnace is a “complex” decision, which costs money.
A few days ago, Siderar said in a public filing at the Buenos Aires stock exchange, BCBA, that programmed maintenance of the equipment should start on November 16.
At that time, the company said finished steel production wouldn’t be affected, “since the stoppage of the blast furnace No. 1 will be compensated with an increase in the production level of [the company’s] No. 2 blast furnace.”