Brazil’s Gerdau group is reportedly suspending crude steel production at its Araucaria plant, located in the southern state of Paraná.
According to the local press, the decision reflects the company focusing on more profitable assets, and is not linked to a reduced demand for its products, considered as stable from last year.
The Araucária plant has a steel production capacity of 420,000 mt per year and will be able to return to operation at short notice. The stoppage is scheduled for May.
The same plant was idled in 2014 due to a shortage of demand, returning to operation in September 2021.
