In the Q1 of this year, Bursa based Turkish steelmaker Cemtas Celik Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret AS posted total sales of 29,143 tonnes decreasing by 6% as compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

Of the total sales volume, 12,638 tonnes were shipped to the domestic market up 16.25% while sales to foreign markets declined by 18% to 16,505 tonnes both compared to Q1 2010. In the quarter in question, the share of export sales in the company's total sales came to 57% compared to 65% in Q1 2010.

In January to March of the current year, Cemtas' steel billet output totaled 31,144 tonnes dropping by 10% YoY while its rolled steel output decreased by 1% YoY amounting to 28,818 tonnes.

Assessing the market in the Q1 of this year, Cemtas said that steel prices have shown a significant fluctuation due to the volatility in raw material prices, particularly scrap prices and also in demand. The company expects the volatility to continue throughout the Q2 of this year.

Cemtas is specialized in the production of special grade steel mainly for the automotive and machine manufacturing industries. The company has a melt shop with an annual capacity of 153,150 tonnes and a rolling mill with an annual capacity of 228,160 tonnes.

(Sourced from Steel Orbis)