Slovakia-based US Steel Kosice idled blast furnace two at its Slovakian site on 4 September for a 60-day stoppage.

The company has also kept its Spanish Sestao electric arc furnace-based coils mill off line, given weak demand and high energy costs.

OMH H1 profit jumps to RM268.9 million

European market leader ArcelorMittal is idling blast furnace A at its Asturias plant in Spain in response to weak demand.

The producer will also stop a direct reduction plant in Hamburg, where it produces wire rod, from the fourth quarter.

Integrated steelmaker US Steel and its union membership appear to be at an impasse over contract negotiations.

The increases are underpinned primarily by higher production costs.

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