LatAm Steel Output Recouped to Pre-Covid Levels in September

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Latin American Steel Trade Association (ALACERO), in its latest report, stated that the steel production in the region reached pre-pandemic levels. The steel production recovery was led by strong rebound in steel consumption by various sectors such as construction and automotive, especially in countries like Argentina and Mexico.

The steel production totalled 4.686 million tonnes (Mt), which is only marginally lower by 0.2% when compared with the same month a year before. The blast furnace production registered month-on-month decline by 7.1% to total 2.408 Mt, whereas the electric arc furnace production reached 2.278 Mt, higher by 2.9% compared to August.

The rolled products output declined 6.5% over the previous year, despite positive performance in Brazil, Mexico and Peru. The seamless tube production surged higher by 7.3%. The production of flat and longs were up by 6.7% and 2.8% respectively.

Francisco Leal, General Director, Alacero noted that the recovery in the countries of the region has so far been very varied, thus highlighting the probabilities of an uneven return to normality. Despite the relative improvement in market situations, the regional steel industry is seen operating at 60% of installed capacity, he said. The industry should wait further for better conditions, so as to ensure resumption of activities in full swing by the entire value chain.

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