Several steel media outlets have reported that leading steelmaker ArcelorMittal has idled its 1.5 million tonne per year blast furnace No 2 at Dunkirk in France due to weak demand for steel in Europe and the summer holidays. ArcelorMittal Dunkirk has capacity to produce 7 million tonne per year of steel with three furnaces and the closure will leave hot metal capacity of 5.7 million tonnes per year operational at the site. The furnaces expected restart date has not yet been announced.ArcelorMittal has also undertaken maintenance at its Eisenhuttenstadt blast furnace in Germany.European steelmakers Acciaierie d'ltalia and HBIS Serbia have also announced other blast furnace closures in recent days.
Several steel media outlets have reported that leading steelmaker ArcelorMittal has idled its 1.5 million tonne per year blast furnace No 2 at Dunkirk in France due to weak demand for steel in Europe and the summer holidays. ArcelorMittal Dunkirk has capacity to produce 7 million tonne per year of steel with three furnaces and the closure will leave hot metal capacity of 5.7 million tonnes per year operational at the site. The furnaces expected restart date has not yet been announced.ArcelorMittal has also undertaken maintenance at its Eisenhuttenstadt blast furnace in Germany.European steelmakers Acciaierie d'ltalia and HBIS Serbia have also announced other blast furnace closures in recent days.