More European steelmakers are announcing increases following ArcelorMittal's announcement last week.

 

German producer Thyssenkrupp pulled all its offers yesterday and moved its quotation up to €800/t ($802/t), according to several local buyers.

 

Italian integrated producer Acciaierie d'Italia is increasing offers by €100/t effective 1 September, while other mills were heard to be moving up by €50-70/t. One producer will be targeting a minimum of €800/t ex-works. Another seller is waiting a few days before it decides whether it will officially communicate an increase, but the market expects it will target €800/t, with around €10/t discounts available for large tonnages, from previous prices at €750/t.

 

Liberty Ostrava has increased its hot-rolled coil offer to €870/t in central Europe, up by €80/t, according to sources.

 

Mills are trying to pass off higher energy costs, which, alongside very sluggish demand, have pushed some into loss-making territory. Market leader ArcelorMittal last week said it was targeting €800/t for October deliveries and €850/t for November, up €50-100/t.

 

Some buyers will welcome the rises, as they have been sitting on depreciating inventories since April. However, it is unclear whether mills will be successful given the tepid demand of recent months, and the weak economic outlook going forward.

 

Import offers could also be another impediment. Asian offers were still under $700/t cif Italy today, as mills in that region are not faced with the same stark increase in production costs.

 

Italian service centres say they will increase their processed coil prices at the same rate as mills, and depending on end-user reaction will provide feedback to the mills. But some pipe makers doubt the increases will stick, as pipe and tube prices are falling amid lethargic demand and competitive coil prices.