Following the announcements of output cuts of 10 to 20 percent made by Brazilian steel companies in recent weeks, the maintenance plans previously adopted to make within the period of mid 2009 and 2010, are decided to predate.
Accordingly, Gerdau Açominas is moving forward the maintenance of its blast furnace No.1 as January 2009, formerly scheduled for second half of 2009, that is predicted to outlast for five or six months, while Usiminas-Cosipa is planning to maintain one of its blast furnaces early 2009.
On the other hand, as SteelOrbis had reported on December 5, Brazilian mining giant Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (Vale) had laid off 1,300 workers and also putting 5,500 more on paid leave until February as a result of economic downturn. In addition, Vale is considering 1,200 workers to train and organize in different areas forbearing from extra lay-offs.
However, Companhia Siderurgica Atlantico (CSA), joint venture of ThyssenKrupp Stahl and Vale, will be opened on February 29, with 2.6mt/yr of the plant of 5.3mt/yr at Sabata Bay is foreseen to consume.