Steel Mills

NLMK USA: Higher Slab Prices Curb Revenue
Written by Sandy Williams
October 28, 2017
NLMK USA posted revenue of $424 million in the third quarter, a 3.0 percent decrease from the second quarter due to a 5.0 percent slide in the average sales price. Shipments increased 2 percent to 558,000 metric tons.
EBITDA for the segment was $38 million, down 9.0 percent from the second quarter due to higher slab purchase prices.
Demand in the U.S. was high in the third quarter due to stable demand from construction, automotive, and the oil and gas sectors, said NLMK. Demand is expected to remain stable in the fourth quarter and face less pressure from imports.
The global pricing environment is expected to be softer in the fourth quarter with lower Chinese exports lending price support.
NLMK Group increased steel output 6 percent from the second quarter driven by stronger demand by the Russian and international markets. Group steelmaking capacity utilization was at 100 percent, but is expected to be marginally lower in Q4 due to seasonality. NLMK estimates crude steel production for 2017 will total 17 million metric tons.
Sales volume for the group was 4.24 million metric tons for revenue of $2.5 billion, both flat with second quarter.
NLMK USA includes NLMK Indiana, NLMK Pennsylvania, and Sharon Coating.
NOTE: Steel Market Update will hold a Steel 101 workshop at NLMK Indiana in early spring 2018. Registration information will be posted on the SMU website soon.

Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Mills

AISI: April mill shipments fall, sheet down YTD
US steel mills saw a decline in shipments from March to April.

Hybar rolls first rebar, ramping up Arkansas mill commissioning
The startup steelmaker produced its first rebar at its greenfield steel mill in Osceola, Ark., marking a key milestone by completing construction in 22 months.

Goncalves: Despite higher tariffs, two Cliffs mills to remain idled
Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President, and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said he would keep one mill idled and still plans to idle another despite increased protections from Section 232 tariffs doubling to 50%.

Trump says Section 232 tariff on steel, aluminum to double to 50% at Pennsylvania rally celebrating Nippon-USS deal
At a rally celebrating a “planned partnership” between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, President Trump announced higher tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the United States, and revealed few more details on Nippon’s investment in USS’ operations.

CRU: Trump hails a partnership of Nippon with USS
In a social media post, President Donald Trump said a planned partnership between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel will add $14 billion to the US economy and ensure USS remains headquartered in Pittsburgh.