A market on the rise, but only in certain categories and to a lesser degree than the increases registered in other European countries - such was the state of the Italian scrap market in March as summed up by Cesare Pasini, president of Nuovo Campsider (association of Italian scrap consumers).
"Last month, scrap prices rose by Euro 10/mt in all categories in France and Germany...Italy, on the other hand, just saw small upward adjustments in the more expensive categories, while quotations were in line with February levels for medium to low qualities," Pasini stated. In the non-EU international markets, after the increases seen in early March, in the second half of the month a drop of $10/mt was observed.
As regards the levels of demand for scrap in Italy, Pasini noted, "The steel mills have been experiencing sustained demand for scrap. However, last month the scrap supply flow was more than satisfactory, both from Italian traders and from overseas." He added that, in spite of the decline in arrivals by sea in recent days, port inventory levels are still good and warehouses are well stocked.
As for April, Pasini predicted that in France and Germany there would be a correction of prices. "In our country, due to the production slowdown linked to the holiday period (Easter), I expect to see equilibrium between supply and demand as well as stability in quotations," he concluded.