Price increase accelerates in EU stainless steel flats market despite low real demand

The price increase in the European stainless steel flats market continues to be fueled by anything except for the real demand, which remains sluggish in most end-use segments.

Three main drivers support the price increase campaign in Europe: scrap's upward trend due to supply bottlenecks, the recent nickel surge, and the ongoing strike at Acerinox, which is constraining the availability of stainless steel cold-rolled products. In addition, the distribution sector has been a bit more active recently, given relatively low stocks. However, it is still early to speak about serious upstocking, given no significant improvement in real demand and pressing profitability issues. Continue Reading? Please click box below!