China's stainless industry seeks limits on 200 series

China’s stainless industry seeks limits on 200 series

China's Stainless Steel Council asked Beijing to limit production and imports of 200 series stainless steel. 200 series is a non-nickel stainless steel that was developed during World War II. 200 series uses manganese as the main alloying agent. Manganese is cheaper than nickel, whose price increased more than 20% last year. Major steel makers in China prefer not to produce 200 series stainless since they believe that the cheaper product harms not only producers, but also consumers and the raw material market. However, demand for 200 series metal remained strong as imports jumped 25% in 2004 to 400'000 tons. The Stainless Steel Council, feeling the pressure of the continued strong demand for 200 series stainless, demanded that the government limit imports of the metal.