In October, the Italian scrap market remained generally stable, characterized by modest demand, said Assofermet, the association representing Italian distributors of scrap, raw materials, and steel products, in a new press release. The needs of steel mills varied significantly from region to region, reflecting the different outputs of various steel mills. However, scrap prices remained stable due to the balance between supply and demand.
One noteworthy point was the significant decrease in scrap availability. Nevertheless, the quantity offered proved more than sufficient, given the overall moderate needs of the steel mills. Despite the market’s negative sentiments, many traders sought to sell or acquire existing contracts, resulting in high scrap supply.
However, the Italian association noted a change in the market landscape at the beginning of November. The downward trend in prices appears to have ended, and some market dynamics are emerging. There are signs of greater vertical integration, stringent inventory control, and the trend of some steel mills to request scrap while retaining storage at their suppliers, with delivery scheduled for the month following the purchase contract date.
“The general concern is primarily about scrap availability if the demand from producers were to increase,” Assofermet noted, adding, “Therefore, a close watch is being kept on the recovery of steel production.”
Regarding the international scrap market, there was a gradual price reduction in Turkey in the first half of October, primarily due to low steel demand. However, prices fluctuated due to international geopolitical tensions, with an increase of around $15-20/mt. Asian markets, especially India, followed a similar trend with a more pronounced price decline starting in the third week of October. Meanwhile, in Europe, prices remained more stable due to limited trading volumes.
As for the stainless steel scrap market, October saw strong demand with slight price increases. However, by the end of the month, there was a drop in prices due to negative prospects for November. Furthermore, the Asian market remained slightly lower than Europe, thanks to a greater supply of material. Fluctuations in the euro-dollar exchange rate significantly influenced contract closures, Assofermet stated.
The pig iron market showed stable prices amid limited demand in October. However, November’s prospects raise hopes for increased demand and, consequently, a slight price increase.
The market for hematite pig iron in Italy remained stable in October, with some price corrections. Purchases reflected consistent demand, especially to cover short-term needs. The substantial supply of Russian cast iron at competitive prices was notable, although foundries remained cautious due to limited order backlogs. In the spheroidal cast iron segment, prices experienced a slight decrease, but demand remained limited due to production slowdowns. Finally, Assofermet observed that in the ferroalloy sector the market fluctuated with limited demand due to production slowdowns.