In the first two months, Guangdong's import and export with Brazil and Chile increased by 24.8 percent and 14.4 percent, respectively, it said.

In order to reach these targets, UBA President Dirk Messner called for a "much faster pace in the expansion of renewable energies."

Wind power was the second most important energy source in Germany last year.

The Argus weekly domestic US HRC Midwest and southern assessments both increased by $50/short ton (st) to $1,150/st.

The plant will use biogas feedstock and iron ore as a catalyst to also produce 380 t/yr of graphitic carbon, he said.

US steelmaker Evraz North America has increased its prices for flat steel products.

Demand has remained steadier for longer than the market had expected, with talk of a recession pushing further out into the year and lessening in severity.

The Argus US plate ex-works assessment has been relatively flat at around $1,480/st since early December.