LONDON (Scrap Register): The sales activity for hot rolled coil is good, for the time of year, across the Nordic region. The mills secured part of their proposed hike, according to MEPS.

Small advances were noted for hot rolled plate selling figures, in November, for the majority of Nordic countries researched. Demand is steady, albeit at a lower level than suppliers anticipated for this period.

Western European mills’ cold rolling schedules are booked well into the first quarter of 2017. This, coupled with antidumping measures against Chinese material, is helping the producers, in northern Europe, to lift cold rolled coil prices. Demand is healthy.

The availability of hot dipped galvanised steel is tight. This situation will be exacerbated if the EU proceeds with antidumping action against Chinese suppliers. Demand is strong due to the healthy auto sector across northern and Western Europe.

Beams suppliers are facing competition from southern European producers and German stockists. Some mills have managed to secure slight price advances as a result of rising raw material costs.
Rebar consumption is currently at a high level, throughout the Nordic region but demand over the winter period will be dependent on weather conditions. Selling numbers are beginning to follow scrap costs in an upward direction.

Merchant bar producers are trying to raise selling values but they are competing with German distributors, who hold material bought at low figures. Strong economic activity, in Sweden, is translating into order volumes from domestic OEMs.