Blast furnace overhauls to impact steel output volumes in China

In China, reports have lately emerged regarding blast furnace breakdowns experienced by several major domestic steel mills, including Anshan Iron and Steel, Benxi Iron and Steel and Shagang Group. The blast furnace problems in question are expected to result in a shortfall in supplies of February production hot rolled coil.
 
Liaoning Province-based Chinese steelmaker Anshan Iron and Steel Group has confirmed that a 3,200 m3 blast furnace at its subsidiary Anshan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd has stopped production and is being overhauled due to a breakdown which occurred on January 20.
 
In addition, it is heard that a 5,500 m3 blast furnace at Hebei Province-based Chinese steelmaker Shougang Jingtang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd experienced technical problems last month, with repair work expected to last one or two months.
 
Furthermore, production operations at a 2,500 m3 blast furnace at Shagang Group were suspended for an overhaul about six weeks ago. The resulting drop in the steelmaker's hot metal output is calculated to be 5,500 mt per day. The blast furnace is expected to resume production on March 20.
 
Finally, Liaoning Province-based Benxi Iron and Steel is currently repairing its 2,800 m3 blast furnace, causing a 20 percent shortfall in output.