Duferco plans to cut slab production

Wednesday, 06 August 2003 09:33:31 (GMT+3)   |  
       

Duferco plans to cut slab production

Swiss based steelmaker Duferco is planning to cut slab production at its La Louviere mini mill due to difficult market conditions. The company will idle the electric arc furnace (EAF) during August, October and December 2003. Company officials stated that company will go on production in September and November for certain orders which can only be made using the EAF. EAF has a monthly capacity of around 73'000 tons. The company intends to reduce production by more than 200'000 tons at its plant in Belgium. High scrap prices and weak demand in the EU are the factors that effect Duferco to cut slab production. Also, production costs are currently higher than using a blast furnace. Duferco's blast furnace will go on production at full capacity and EAF in La Louviere is scheduled to restart production in January 2004. However, the mill will continue to monitor the scrap market and demand for finished products. The company will keep the maximum capacity at its other European mills, including Belgium, Italy and Macedonia. Arcelor which is Duferco's joint venture partner in Carsid, also idled its EAF for six months to reduce slab inventories.

Similar articles

Russia officially imposes export duties for most steel and raw materials until end of 2024

21 Sep | Steel News

Steel mills in Turkey reshaping billet imports, bigger problems may be seen in scrap in mid-term

15 Dec | Steel News

How will the US steel industry fare under the Biden administration?

09 Nov | Steel News

Turkey’s import scrap volume increases significantly in January

02 Mar | Steel News

WSD Strategic Insights XXXVI: Out-of-whack steel pricing relationships

28 May | Steel Matters

Turkey's slab import volume triples in January-September

19 Nov | Steel News

Slowdown in Turkey’s steel exports continues in September

17 Sep | Steel News

WSD Strategic Insights #9: Correlation coefficients illuminate steel price relationships

22 Mar | Steel Matters

US slab buyers in no hurry to make Q1 buys

29 Nov | Flats and Slab

Turkish steel mills conclude slab deals

05 Sep | Flats and Slab