Product
January 5, 2021
Written by Michael Cowden
Brazil’s annual Section 232 slab quota has reset, a move that is likely to at least partially relieve a supply squeeze that has sent U.S. sheet prices to their highest point in more than 12 years.
Brazil’s Section 232 slab quota for 2021 is approximately 3.86 million tons, according to information from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), part of the Department for Homeland Security.
Sheet and plate prices continued to inch higher on a combination of scarce spot tons, long lead times, lean inventories, and stable demand.
Canton, Ohio-based specialty metals manufacturer Metallus has been awarded a contract valued at up to $995 million by the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), part of the Department of War.
U.S. Steel is investing $28.3 million in its Great Lakes Works in Michigan, with upgrades planned for its pickle line during a 30-day outage starting in October.
The result comes after Mexico’s Ministry of Economy completed a five-year sunset review of the anti-dumping duty (AD) order on imports of hot-rolled (HR) sheet from Russia and Ukraine.
There has been sustained export activity from the US on both the East and West Coasts. Prices have continued to rise, influenced by several factors, including elevated freight costs and firming markets in exporting countries.