It is reported that Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited has once again set yet another record by achieving a sales turnover of INR 3904 Crores for the period April to July 2008 which is the best, since inception.

The sale of INR 3,904 crores during the period April to July 2008 has registered a significant growth of 42% over the sales of INR 2,758 Crores made during the corresponding period last year.

Other highlights on the marketing front for the period April to July, 2008:

1. The sale of 0.56 million tonne of value added steel during April to July 2008 registered a growth of 41% YoY.

2. Sale of 0.283 million tonne to infrastructure projects registered a growth of 36% YoY.

3. With a view to cater to the demand in the rural segments, RINL has taken the initiative to ensure the supply of 25,573 tonne of steel to the rural areas through District Level Dealers which registered a growth of 41% over the corresponding period, last year.

4. On the Production front, the Value added production of 723,264 tonne during April to July 2008 has achieved a significant growth of 52% YoY compared to the corresponding year, last year.

5. Liquid Steel and Finished Steel production also registered growth of 3% and 2% respectively.

ET reported that Steel Authority of India Limited and Nagpur based Manganese Ore India Limited have formed 50:50 JV for setting up a 0.1 million tonne ferroalloys plant at Bhilai at an estimated investment of INR 400 crore. MECON has been entrusted with the consultancy work for the project and the proposed plant is likely to begin production by 2009 end or early 2010.

Mr KN Mehrotra CMD of MOIL said that "The joint venture company, which was registered on July 31st 2008, has a total capital outlay of INR 380 crore.”

Mr Mehrotra said that “The ferroalloys produced from the upcoming plant would be used by SAIL as input material for steel making. In all, the JV company would require about 0.3 million tonne of manganese ore to produce 0.1 million tonne of ferroalloys per annum.”

Mr Mehrotra said that MOIL has set a target of producing 2.0 million tonne of manganese ore by 2020 and is also eyeing South Africa for importing about 0.3 million tonne of the ore.

He informed that “As of now, the country's total ferroalloys production is pegged at about 0.7 million tonne against the requirement of 0.9 million tonne.”

Last week, Indian steel minister has advised public sector steel majors not to increase prices and also warned the private players that the price hikes would be closely monitored by the government. TATA Steel has also said that it is no haste to increase prices

As the self imposed moratorium is getting over on August 7th 2008, the moves by other players would be unveiled this week. But as such no fire works are expected and some of the steel mills may maintain the base prices but revise quality extras to mop the premiums to some extant.

As the markets are already ruling at high levels and the international markets have crashed last month ……..

To read full article, please visit www.steelprices-india.com

BL reported that Cold Rolled Steel Manufacturers’ Association of India has informed the steel ministry that there is excess capacity in the cold rolling industry and urged the government to exempt cold rolled value added products from export duty, if imposed.

CORSMA stated that allowing duty free export of cold rolled steel products would lead to higher capacity utilization which, in turn, would generate employment in the country.

The association in its letter said that this is necessary because the price of hot rolled coils, the primary raw material for cold rollers, has gone up from INR 29,000 per tonne in January to INR 46,000 in July, leading to lower capacity utilization in the cold rolling plants.

The association, in a letter to the minister of steel, said that “During the April to June quarter, import of cold rolled products increased by 65% owing to a shortage of hot rolled coils in the country.

Pointing out that while China has imposed 15% export duty on hot rolled steel it has not withdrawn the incentives on export of cold rolled products, the association urged the Government to adopt a similar policy in India also.

Mr SC Mathur executive director of the association said that some of the cold rollers were already utilizing a portion of their excess capacity for export production based on imported raw materials.

JSW Steel achieved a significant volume growth of 22% in crude steel production and 13% in saleable steel, during April to June 2008 quarter as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

The Company achieved a significant volume growth of 22% in crude steel production during the quarter. However, the volume of saleable steel went up by only 13%, due to captive consumption of around 50,000 tonnes of plates, sheets and TMT bars for the purpose of internal expansion projects and accretion in stock of around 107,000 tonnes due to bunching of Exports.

In million tonnes

The sales volume of rolled products during the quarter was lower relative to corresponding quarter of last year mainly due to shut down of Hot Strip Mill for modernization and captive consumption of rolled products for expansion projects.

The Break-up sales and production volumes are as under:

JSW has successfully restarted HSM on June 29th 2008 after modernization at Vijayanagar, increasing the capacity from 2.5 million tonnes per annum to 3.2 million tonnes per annum.

It is reported that India’s inflation rose to 11.98% for the week ended July 19th 2008, as some food and manufactured products turned dearer, justifying the harsh monetary stance of the Reserve Bank announced a couple of days back.

The moderation in inflation a week earlier to 11.89% turned out to be an aberration as the rate of price rise is now a just a tad below the crucial 12%. It has been rising unabatedly after petrol prices were increased by the Government on June 5.

Inflation stood at 4.65% in the corresponding week a year ago.

This is the first official data on inflation after the Reserve Bank increased the short term lending rate by 50 basis points to 9% and also raised the mandatory deposits that banks have to park with it by 25 basis points to cool down the rate of price rise. However, the exact effect of these measures will be known after some time only as official data is released with a two week lag and hike in CRR would come into effect only after August 30.

Announcing the first quarterly review of the credit policy RBI Governor Y V Reddy had said that the main thrust of the policy would be to bring down inflation to 7% by March, 2009.

Earlier, the apex bank had set the attempt to bring down inflation close to 5 per cent by end of this fiscal and lower it further to 4 to 4.5% with a medium term objective of 3%.

A steel user, however big or small, is always concerned about steel buying as it is normally a big ticket item, but there is no bench mark available to steel buyers to compare their transaction prices, which in a big way decided their bottom line. Lastly, steel has been very volatile in last 6 months and has effected many users in a very severe way making it all the more important to track the prices and trends.

www.steelprices-india.com is a new portal that provides domestic pricing information for benchmark steel products in each category at select location in China on a regular basis 5 days a week. In addition, FOB levels for commonly exported steel products from two of the major exporting nation Ukraine & Russia and China are also available on daily basis to give a sense of alternates.

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Khaleej Times reported that Bangladesh finance ministry discounted fears that the pullout by TATA Group of its USD 3 billion investment plan for Bangladesh would affect the flow of foreign direct investments to the resource starved country.

Mr Mirza Azizul Islam Finance Advisor who is the de facto finance minister in the interim government said that the decision by the Indian investment group to take their money elsewhere would not create an adverse impact on the level of foreign investments.

He said that "The withdrawal of millions of dollars planned for massive investments in steel, engineering and other heavy industry could have had an adverse impact on the business climate in Bangladesh if had taken a wrong decision ignoring national interests.”

TATA Group formally announced that it would shelve its much talked about investment package for Bangladesh because of gas shortages. The TATA investment offer ran into trouble with the local authorities after the Group signed an expression of intent with the Bangladesh Board of Investment in 2004.

ET reported that specialty steel manufacturer Mukand is expected to raise its product prices from September 1st 2008.

Mr Niraj Bajaj CMD of Mukund said that Mukand has been increasing prices every two months in the last one year as the raw material costs have gone up substantially. He said that the last price hike was implemented by the company in July this year.

Mr Bajaj said that “There has been an unprecedented rise in our costs. The price of coke alone has gone up by 235% in last one year. Similarly, the scrap prices are up by 88% and iron ore prices have doubled. We had no option but to pass on the costs to our customers. The good news is that our customers understand that we are not raising prices on our own and it is due to external factors.

Mr Bajaj said that with the rising specialty steel demand, the company sees itself growing at the rate of 50%. “The price hikes are beyond our control. Our customers are unhappy about the frequent hikes, but it is not in our hand.”

It is reported that energy and environment solutions firm from India Thermax Limited has opened a manufacturing facility under its subsidiary in Zhejiang province in east China with a registered capital of USD 11.47 million.

Mr Vishnu Prakash Consul General of India in Shanghai inaugurated the facility in the presence of Thermax Group Chairperson Mr Meher Pudumjee and Jiaxing Vice Mayor Mr Jiang Ren Huan.

The facility set up under Thermax 100% subsidiary, Thermax Cooling and Heating Engineering Company Limited is the company’s first overseas manufacturing unit.

The plant with a capacity of over 400 absorption chillers per annum with the state of the art machinery would cater to the absorption chiller market in China and some other overseas markets, the company said.

Thermax Limited a USD 800 million leading company in energy and environment solutions, offers total integrated solutions in the areas of heating, cooling power, water and waste management, air pollution control and chemicals.

The Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry last week felicitated Dr T Mukherjee former deputy MD of TATA Steel and present ED r of Corus, for receiving the Bessemer Gold Medal on July 2nd 2008.

The function was held at Chambers Bhavan this evening.
Mr Suresh Sonthalia VP of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that “It is an award in UK given to stalwarts of steel industry for their lifetime achievements. The award has been named after the famous UK inventor Henry Bessemer. He has the credit to develop the Steel Making Shop that is being used in the steel industry.”

Mr Mukherjee highlighted the major factors that led to rapid economic development of the country. According to him the Indian aspiration is the main factor behind the economic developments, which country has witnessed in last few decades. He said “The dream of people like Dhirubhai Ambani and Ratan Tata have given wings to the economic development of the country. If we want to become an economic superpower, we will require an edge in creating latest technology. The country’s share in world gross domestic product is increasing as we have witnessed tremendous growth in last few years.”

FE reported that NTPC along with JV partners, proposes to invest as high as INR 64,000 crore for the setting up of four units of 4,000 MW each during the 12th Plan.

The proposed capacity addition of 16,000 MW will be a part of its total addition plan of 25,000 MW in the 12th Plan period 2012-17.

The report said that in addition to this, the company will expand its Vindhyachal power project by 1,000 MW taking its total capacity to 4,260 MW from the existing 3,260 MW. With this, NTPC will have five projects with generation capacity of 4,000 MW each by the end of 12 the Plan period.

It is reported that Reliance Power is likely to commission the country's first ultra mega power project 4,000 MW Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project by three years. From the earlier commissioning date of April 2016, Reliance Power has confirmed the advancement of the UMPP to March 2013.

The report added that RPL has also committed to contribute 1,320 MW from Sasan to the 11th Plan capacity addition program of the government. This is being done by advancing the commissioning of two units of Sasan of 660 MW each to March 2012, from the earlier plan of December 2013. The ministry of power has already instructed Power Grid Corporation of India to make necessary arrangements for timely evacuation of power from Sasan.

The report said that RPL has already awarded the INR 14,000 crore EPC work for Sasan project to its group company Reliance Infrastructure, which has further placed the order for procuring boilers, turbine and generators on Shanghai Electric Corporation of China.

BL reported that Texmaco has joined hands with Japanese consortium, comprising Kawasaki, Toshiba, Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and has filed request for qualification for the proposed electric loco project to be located at Madhepura in Bihar.

Mr Ramesh Maheshwari president & CEO of Texmaco told Business Line that the company filed the RFQ along with the Japanese partners.

Mr Maheshwari without disclosing Texmaco’s share in the five way Indo Japanese joint venture he said that the company has participated in the qualifying bids for setting up the project as well as the procurement-cum-maintenance contract.

The estimated cost of the project, with a capacity of 120 locomotives, is at INR 1,460.57 crore.

Mr Maheshwari also said a USD 50 million equal joint venture with UGL of Australia for manufacturing freight cars and coaches would be signed shortly in August. This project would be located in West Bengal.

ET reported that Dempo Group’s calcined petroleum coke maker Goa Carbon is mulling to invest INR 700 crore mainly to set up a Greenfield plant and enhance Paradeep plant capacity.

As per report, Goa Carbon also plans to invest additional INR 200 crore to put up 18 MW power plant across its three operating facilities in Paradeep, Bilaspur & Goa and increase capacity of its Paredeep plant to 220,000 tonne per annum from 100,000 tonne per annum now.

Mr Srinivas Dempo chairman of Dempo Group told reporters that "The Greenfield plant will come up either in Gujarat or in Orissa with an annual Calcined Petroleum Coke capacity of 350,000 to 500,000 tonne. Along with a 50MW power generation facility, the total outlay in the plant will be around INR 500 crore.”

Mr Dempo said that the company has tentatively identified two locations in Orissa and Gujarat for the project but yet to zero in on one. It, however will be port based.

Mr Dempo said that though there is no demand supply mismatch in the domestic market but globally the gap is in the range of two million tonne per annum.

Calcined Petroleum Coke is a pure form of carbon used for making anodes for aluminum smelting. It is also used as a source of carbon for the steel industry. Green petroleum coke is used as raw material for producing CPC.

Proiect Today reported that Suryachakra Power Venture has entered into a JV with Man Solar Millennium GmBH of Germany for developing solar power projects in India.

The JV named Suryachakra MSM Solar India proposes to set up solar power projects of 5 MW each in Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh at an investment of INR 420 crore for a period of two years.

The projects will be funded through 50% contribution by the JV partner and the remaining amount will be raised through internal accruals and private equity palcement.

It is reported that Mumbai Metro One roped in ABB, Siemens and Sew Constructions to execute various works for the 11 kilometer Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar corridor of the Mumbai Metro Rail project.

MMOPL, the SPV formed by Reliance Energy, Veolia Transport, France and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, to develop the metro along the VAG corridor awarded the contract for power supply to ABB, signaling and train control systems to Siemens and the contract for three specialized bridges including a cable stayed bridge and two cantilever bridges to SEW Constructions.

ABB will be responsible for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of traction electrification, power supply, power distribution and SCADA system for the metro corridor.

The signaling and train control systems used for the proposed corridor will be based on LZB 700M technology with high reliability and highest safety standards.

As per a report in FT, ArcelorMittal sees that supply constraints and strong demand would put a firm floor under prices and profits for the steel industry until at least 2011. Mr LN Mittal chairman & CEO of ArcelorMittal told FT last week that steel industry is in a "strong and sustainable position" for the next three to four years.

Mr Mittal said that "While there is a slowdown and softness in some markets, in particular in southern Europe and the US, I do not see any major weakness in overall levels of demand.

Mr Mittal scotched fears that the steel industry might be about to move into a period of fragility on account of what some worry could be a significant slowdown in the world economy. He said that while demand in emerging economies such as China, India, South America and the Middle East remained strong, global demand was likely to expand by 3% to 5% a year in the next five years, against an average growth rate of 7% in the past seven years. He said "A projection of 3% growth in the next few years is probably pessimistic, while 5% is realistic.”

He added that "If you accept my growth estimates, that means the world will have to find another 50 million tonne to 75 million tonnes of steel capacity every year for some time. It is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to increase capacity through new mills. The imbalance between demand and supply would create a strong pricing dynamic for the industry as a whole in the coming years.”

(Sourced from FT)

Vallourec has posted net sales of EUR 1,619.7 million in April to June 2008 quarter up by 3.9% YoY. On a comparable basis, sales increased by 6.5%. For the first six months, sales of EUR 3,003.3 million were virtually flat, which represents a rise of 3.5% on a comparable basis.

EBITDA in the second quarter of 2008 totaled EUR 430.5 million, giving an EBITDA sales ratio of 26.6%. In the first half, EBITDA reached EUR 772.3 million, equivalent to 25.7% of sales. Net income, Group share, totaled EUR 255.1 million in the second quarter and EUR 448.4 million in the first half.

In the second quarter, production shipped increased by 2.7% YoY to 740,400 tonnes compared with 720,800 tonnes in 2007. For the first half of 2008, production shipped totaled 1,398,500 tonnes as compared with 1,455,700 tonnes the previous year. It remained virtually stable on a comparable basis.

Mr Pierre Verluca chairman of Vallourec management board said that "Since the beginning of the year, our results have been in line with our expectations. As anticipated, production volumes recovered during the second quarter. The Group's strong performance was boosted mainly by the power generation activity. The general trend remains positive: demand is robust overall and we are continuing to increase our selling prices to compensate increased raw material costs and in an attempt to limit the impact of the weak dollar."

Bloomberg reported that Bulgaria's state run natural gas utility Bulgargaz AD postponed a cut in supplies scheduled last weekend to the country's biggest steelmaker Kremikovtzi AD until a court rules on the mill's insolvency later this month.

Bulgargaz gave the steel mill notice in July to pay BGL 7.5 million bill or prepare for a supply halt. The utility has supplied 20,000 cubic meters a month to keep the idle and bankrupt mill from shutting completely, which would damage equipment.

According to the government, Kremikovtzi accumulated a total of BGL 1.7 billion in debts since 2005, including BGL 30.1 million to Bulgargaz.

The Sofia City court said on July 29th 2008 that it will rule on the mill's insolvency in two weeks.

According to the Japan Iron & Steel Federation, Japanese crude steel production totaled 10,371,000 tonnes in June 2008, down 175,000 tonnes or by 1.7% MoM from a month ago. As a result, Japanese crude steel production hit a cumulative 61,897,000 tonnes in January to June 2008, up by 4.2% YoY.

In the breakdown by steelmaking furnaces, LD converters accounted for 7,571,000 tonnes in June 2008, down by 2.9% MoM from a month ago and electric arc furnaces 2,800,000 tonnes, up by 1.7% MoM.

Japanese production of blast furnace pig iron totaled 7,260,000 tonnes in June 2008, down by 235,000 tonnes or by 3.1% MoM from a month ago. Cumulative production amounted to 44,111,000 tonnes in January to June 2008, up by 3.9% YoY.

Japanese manufacture of HR steel products totaled 9,316,000 tonnes in June 2008, up by 50,000 tonnes or by 0.5% MoM. Of the total, ordinary steel products accounted for 7,451,000 tonnes, up by 78,000 tonnes or by 1.1% MoM and specialty steel products 1,865,000 tonnes, down by 28,000 tonnes or by 1.5% MoM.

Antara News reported that Mr Fazwar Bujang director of PT Krakatau Steel has confirmed the privatization of the company in late November 2008 through an initial public offering. He said that "It is confirmed, it will be end of November 2008."

Mr Sofyan Djalil state enterprise minister also confirmed the planned privatization of state steel plant PT Krakatau Steel. He said that "Hopefully, it will be on November 2008, but it depends on the House of Representatives which has the authority to allow the privatization."

PT Krakatau Steel management is currently preparing the IPO plan seriously and the stock exchange condition is favorable as the steel industry sector is improving.

Japan's fourth largest steel maker Kobe Steel Ltd has reported a 9.9% jump in first quarter profit amid expectations demand for steel will push prices higher.

Its net income rose to JPY 25.3 billion in April to June 2008 quarter as compared to JPY 23 billion in April to June 2007 quarter.

CONTENT

Topics
1. Indian steel: an introduction to its structure and growth
2. Capacity: crude and finished steel: growth trends by major producers and segments.
3. Production trend analysis, crude and finished steel, for major producers and segments.
4. Consumption trends by products and in different regional markets.
5. Detailed status of the steel market in India, by products and with specific details such as size and shapes for HR Coils, CR Coils and Sheets, Galvanized sheets, Rebars, Sections, Wire Rods and Plates.
5. New investments in steel: latest status of the projects.
6. Expected production of steel year wise till 2015, by products. Different scenarios.
7. Latest forecasts of annual steel demand by products till 2020.
8. The alloy and stainless steel market: trends in investment, production, consumption.
9. Forecast of alloy and stainless steel demand till 2020.
10. Specific opportunities in alloy and stainless steel.
11. Steel price trends and short term forecasts.
12. Costs of production of steel in India: past trends and forecasts.
13. The iron ore factor in Indian steel. Advantages and opportunities.
14. Details of captive mines with Indian steel producers and new prospecting and mining leases granted to them.
15. Coal and energy issues for the Indian steel industry: how is the industry placed today?
16. What is the impact of the rise in raw materials prices on major Indian companies or segments of the industry?
17. How are the merchant pig iron and sponge iron producers shaping up?
18. What is the steel scrap scenario? Estimates of domestically generated scrap and imports.
19. What are the M&A opportunities in Indian steel?
20. India’s external trade in pig iron, sponge iron, steel, iron ore and coal. What is the future for each of them?
21. Strategic Options and Recommendations

190 pages with more than 70 charts and tables

Scheduled for release on 1st September 2008

Price on release: USD 5000 or equivalent in INR

You can order your copy to reports@steelguru.com

Puls Biznesu reported that ArcelorMittal Poland, Zlomrex SA and Dallas based Commercial Metals Company may bid for a controlling stake in Polish steel mill Huta Labedy SA.

The report added that Poland, which will pick investors for final talks in the middle of this month, wants to sell 82% of the company by the end of 2008.

It is reported that Japanese integrated steelmakers are considering offering price increases of more than USD 1,000 per tonne in their export deals of grain oriented electrical sheets for shipments to the world's destinations in 2009.

There are suggestions that the price increases may range from USD 1,300 to USD 1,500. The Japanese steelmakers are expected to start negotiations in August 2008 on their global exports of GO electrical sheets for shipments next year.

The Japanese steelmakers are supposed to provide GO electrical sheets at around USD 4,000 per tonne FOB for various customers in the West under the existing annual contracts for shipments in 2008. The Japanese price level differs by nearly USD 1,700 per tonne from WISCO's domestic price for August shipments.

Chinese Wuhan Iron & Steel Group Corporation usually exerts influence on how transaction prices go of GO electrical sheets for the world's various industrial users. At present, WISCO looks set to raise its domestic sales price of GO electrical sheets month by month. Until now, the cumulative price increase has hit CNY 7,200 per tonne for April to August shipments. The cumulative price increase breaks out as CNY 1,700 for April 2008, CNY 2,000 for May2008, CNY 1,000 for June 2008, CNY 500 for July 2008 and CNY 2,000 for August 2008. As a result, the sales price for August shipments translates into a level of USD 5,700 per tonne. It remains to be seen how far WISCO's asking price will advance within this year.

The world's current production of GO electrical sheets is estimated at an annual level of 2,000,000 tonnes. But available supplies of GO electrical sheets are described as insufficient to meet a spate of electric power development projects the world over. Still, the world's supply-demand conditions for GO electrical sheets are forecast to somewhat slacken in 2009 when China's Baosteel Company Limited will bring its new facilities on stream to produce 300,000 tonnes per year of GO electrical sheets besides WISCO's equipment buildup, while US and European steelmakers will reinforce production of GO electrical sheets from their works.

(Sourced from Tex)

It is reported that Malaysian government will study the possibility of setting a quota on steel bar and cement exports to ensure there is adequate supply in the country.

Mr Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan housing minister said that there had been complaints of shortages in building materials, particularly steel bars which were fetching a high price in the world market. He added that "We have forwarded this information to the domestic ministry, international trade and industry ministry and the finance ministry to study the possibility of setting a limit to exports or at least a quota."

Mr Ong said that the federal government would need the cooperation of state governments to ensure the country's housing sector did not come to a standstill in an already flagging market. He added that "The government wants to push the housing sector forward by providing incentives, such as lowering stamp duties. However, there are areas such as the Bumiputera quota and land premiums which come under the jurisdiction of state governments, so their co operation is needed."

Steel bar prices are averaging MYR 4,000 a tonne locally, moving in tandem with world prices which are about MYR 3,923 a tonne. Prices soared by 55% between April and May 2008 following market liberalization in the sector, going up from between MYR 2,278 and MYR 2,419 per tonne in April 2008 to between MYR 3,550 and MYR 3,750 per tonne after liberalization took effect on May 12th 2008.

The fast developing Indian steel industries are continuing beyond what most believed was possible. As one of the world's fastest growing economies, India has become the most happening place among world steel market over last few years and thus is in the radar of not only Indian but most of global players associated with steel industry. But due to fragmented nature of industry, a comprehensive list of smaller steel makers is not readily available.

"Indian Steelmakers Directory 2008' is one the top sources of information available on steel making companies in India! 'Indian Steelmakers Directory' is one of the most comprehensive and accurate directory of Indian steel companies that have ever been published. This powerful directory is your connection to the entire Indian steel industries sector.

Published in February 2008, “Indian Steelmakers Directory 2008” has been comprehensively researched and prepared, to bring you a fully up to date guide to India's rapidly growing steel makers. This Directory will be extremely useful to businesses that deal specifically with companies in the iron and steel industry, ferro alloys, consumable suppliers, raw material sellers, equipment makers and others.

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• Email -446 entries

Report Summary:
1. Published: Feb 2008
2. Format PDF File (Delivery by Email on receipt of payment)
3. Total no of pages – 396

Price: USD 1250 or equivalent in INR
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It is likely that Japanese integrated steelmakers will seek an increased price level of USD 1,200 per tonne FOB on average in their deals of CR sheet exports to Asian destinations for shipments in the October to December 2008 quarter.

The Japanese steelmakers are expected to start their CR sheet export negotiations with local customers in mid August 2008 on October to December 2008 shipments.

There are prospects of no major change in the environment for Japanese CR sheet exports to Asian destinations for Q4 shipments. Among other things, no signs of a slack occur in tight supply demand conditions for CR sheets in Asia despite an uncertain outlook of CR sheet demand in China's consumer electronics sector.

As a result, the Japanese steelmakers are expected to struggle for an increased price level of USD 1,200 per tonne FOB on average in the CR sheet exports they negotiate in Asian deals for Q4 shipments. A price level of USD 1,100 per tonne FOB represents the norm of negotiated prices in Japanese CR sheet exports to Asian destinations for Q3 shipments, with a high of around USD 1,200 per tonne FOB.

(Sourced from Tex)

Sofia Echo reported that Bulgarian State Railways and the National Electricity Company would continue their supplies to the Kremikovtzi steel mill, despite the fact that the mill continued accumulating debts towards them.

Mr Petar Dimitrov economy and energy minister of Bulgaria said last week that ““We are waiting for the court’s decision on Kremikovtzi’s insolvency because we cannot pour money form Bulgarian companies in foreign suppliers and production buyers.”

China remained the world's number one producer of stainless steel in 2007 accounting for more than one quarter of 27.6 million tonnes of global output. China had overtaken Japan as the world's biggest stainless steel producer in 2006 with 6.6 million tonnes in 2006 up by 21.7% YoY. Japan followed China as the second largest producer in 2007 with an output of 3.7 million tonnes. In 2006, China's per capita stainless steel consumption hit 4.6 kilograms, rising above the world average of 4.3 kilograms.

China produced 7.206 million tonnes of stainless steel in 2007 up by 1.906 million tonnes or 35.96% YoY. Import volume hit 1.698 million tonnes down 32.08% YoY and export volume reached 1.303 million tonnes up by 44.78%. Thus net imports totaled 395,000 tonnes including 204,000 tons of semi products and 115,000 tons of narrow plate and exports of HR sheet reached 328,000 tonnes resulting in self sufficiency rate climbing by 15.6% to 75.6%. However, growth of apparent consumption slowed down. Apparent consumption recorded 6.58 million tonnes in 2007 up 630,000 tonnes or 10.59% YoY but 3.61% lower than that in 2006.

As one of the world's fastest growing economies, China has become the most happening place among world steel market over last few years and thus is in the radar of most of global players associated with stainless steel industry. But due to fragmented nature of industry, a comprehensive list of smaller steel makers is not readily available.

Published in July 2008, “Directory of Stainless Steel Supply Chain in China” is one of the top sources of information available on stainless steel related companies in China. It is one of the most comprehensive and accurate directory of Chinese companies that have ever been published. This powerful report is your connection to the entire Chinese stainless steel industries sector.

This report will be extremely useful to businesses that deal specifically with companies from stainless steel industry, ferroalloys, consumable suppliers, raw material sellers, equipment makers and others. Whether you are a product manager, in charge of marketing, raw material seller, in equipment business or simply interested to remain in touch with the latest developments in the Chinese stainless steel industries, this directory will save you time and effort in finding the information you need.

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• Company name - 246 entries
• Address – 246 entries
• Contact person – 241 entries
• Mobile number – 168 entries
• Phone number - 246 entries
• Fax number - 246 entries
• Email - 246 entries
• Web site - 243 entries
• Category
• Products & Services

Report Summary:
1. Published: July 2008
2. Format PDF File (Delivery by Email on receipt of payment)

Price: USD 800 or equivalent in INR
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According to information Czech News Agency gained from the company's financial statement, Metalimex saw audited net profit fall to CZK 102 million in 2007 from CZK 361.2 million in 2006 and its sales decreased from CZK 23.1 billion to CZK 14.691 billion.

Mr Petr Otava board chairman of Metalimex said that pre tax profit at Kc140m was affected by high volatility on the FOREX market and strong firming of the Czech crown, in particular in the second half of 2007.

As for the fall in sales, Mr Votava attributes it to the fact that in mid 2006 Metalimex sold its division focused on trading in fuels. He added that "The year 2007 is the period when for the first time Metalimex results do not include trading in solid fuels."

Metalimex's sales from export and import transactions and trading outside the Czech territory contributed 67% to the total turnover in 2007. The remaining 33% came from domestic trading.

South African Competition Commission last week said that it expects to receive more information, which would implicate more steel companies and highlight more products that have had their prices inflated owing to collusion in the industry.

The head of the Competition Commission’s enforcement and exceptions division said that “The commission would now focus on gathering all the information and putting its case together to refer the matter to the Competition Tribunal.”

Scaw Metals, in which Anglo American holds a 74% stake, divulged that it was the company which had sought, and been granted, conditional leniency.

The rising input costs of steel have been blamed for the increasing price tag of most infrastructure projects in South Africa, from Eskom’s new power station build program, the Airports Company South Africa upgra