According to the latest ‘Stainless Steel Briefing December 2011' report issued by Germany-based service centre Damstahl, in the current year European stainless steel production will end on a similar level as in 2010 which was 7.4 million mt. Meanwhile, Damstahl estimates an increased production volume in the first quarter of 2012 as mill-internal stocks will have to be increased.
According to the report, European stainless steel crude steel production continuously improved to a level of approximately 700,000 mt per month in the first months of 2011 but then dropped substantially to 450,000-550,000 mt in the third quarter.
The report also adds that Damstahl Germany remains cautiously optimistic about the market development in Germany over the coming months. Negative news regarding the eurozone debt crisis has not had an impact on sales so far.