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voda 9 maart 2021 10:43

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Allegheny Technologies Steel Workers Vote to Authorize Strike

World Socialist Web Site reported that steelworkers at specialty steel manufacturer Allegheny Technologies in Brackenridge in Pennsylvania, located about 20 miles outside of Pittsburgh, voted to authorize a possible strike by an overwhelming 95% majority on Friday night. The 1,300 workers who voted on the authorization are members of the United Steelworkers union. The USW claims that ATI has proposed a four-year contract that will cut workers’ wages, overtime pay and health insurance, make scheduling worse for workers, and expand the use of contract labor.

Workers at the Brackenridge facility have not had their wages increased since 2014, over half a decade and workers are also threatened with layoffs. ATI plans to eliminate up to 200 jobs in the Alle-Kiski region by the summer of this year and close the melt shop at the Brackenridge facility.

If workers at the Brackenridge mill strike, it will be the second time production has been halted at the company by a labor dispute since 1994.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 9 maart 2021 10:44

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North American Oil & Gas Rig Count Decreases in Week 09

Houston based oil field Services Company Baker Hughes reported for the week ending 5 March 2021 US rig count increased by one to 403 rigs. The US rig count is now down by 390 rigs in a year-on-year comparison. Meanwhile, the Canadian rig count decreased by 22 to 141 rigs in the week. The Canadian rig count is now down by 62 rigs compared to the same week a year ago. The International rig count increased by 24 to 7011 rigs in the week, down by 384 as compared to the same week a year ago.

Baker Hughes has issued the rotary rig counts as a service to the petroleum industry since 1944, when Baker Hughes Tool Company began weekly counts of US and Canadian drilling activity. Baker Hughes initiated the monthly international rig count in 1975. The Baker Hughes Rig Counts are an important business barometer for the drilling industry and its suppliers. When drilling rigs are active they consume products and services produced by the oil service industry. The active rig count acts as a leading indicator of demand for products used in drilling, completing, producing and processing hydrocarbons.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 9 maart 2021 10:45

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US Steel Production in Week 09 up 0.2% WoW to 77.4%

American Iron and Steel Institute announced that in the week ending on March 6, 2021, US’s domestic raw steel production was 1,755,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 77.4%. Production was 1,761,000 net tons in the week ending March 6, 2020 while the capability utilization then was 76.2%. Production for the week ending March 6, 2021 is up 0.3% from the previous week ending February 27, 2021 when production was 1,749,000 net tons and the rate of capability utilization was 77.2%.

Broken down by districts, here’s production for the week ending March 6, 2021 in thousands of net tons: North East: 157; Great Lakes: 609; Midwest: 179; Southern: 740 and Western: 70 for a total of 1755.

Adjusted year to date production through March 6, 2021 was 16,112,000 net tons, at a capability utilization rate of 76.6%. That is down 7.6% from the 17,435,000 net tons during the same period last year, when the capability utilization rate was 81.5%.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 9 maart 2021 10:45

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GMS Market Commentary on Ship Breaking in Week 09

World's leading cash buyer of ships for recycling GMS said that “Steel prices in Asian recycling markets, save for India, have shot back up again last week, as this roller coaster year continues. This time, following a period on the sidelines at the start of this year, it is Pakistan surging to the forefront of the pricing charts once again and regaining control of recycling industry’s attention. Demand has been steadily firming in Gadani since the 2020 mid year binge that saw them secure a majority of the market tonnage and following the boon on import duties and taxes mentioned last week, the ship recycling sector in Pakistan has really taken off last week.”

GMS said “Bangladeshi Buyers are trying their best to keep up and have managed to secure at least one VLOC that was already in Cash Buyer hands this week.”

GMS added “However, the show stopping sales for the week certainly took place into Pakistan. It will be interesting to see if this most recent surge in Pakistan can be sustained for much of the year, or as with Bangladesh in mid-January, prices could come rolling down as steadily as they gained ground. At least Gadani buyers have some fierce competition from their Bangladeshi counterparts, who have seen steel prices claw much of the ground lost back and are hot on the heels of any market tonnage, particularly those geographically positioned in the Far East.”

GMS also said “India remains the lowest placed of all the subcontinent recycling markets yet again and it seems doubtful they will be able to secure much tonnage if the current trend persists, especially if there is a shortage of HKC green vessels and specialist, rich in non ferrous, units for them at present.”

On the far end, the Turkish market finally evened out last week with local steel prices and steel imports reporting no major change for the week, resulting in vessel prices being unchanged. Even the Lira has weakened again, approaching the TRY 7.5 mark against the US Dollar, leaving this market in a cautious state for the time being.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 9 maart 2021 10:46

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6 Companies Seeking IPCEI Funding for Hydrogen Projects

Six companies, five of them from the Saarland in Germany, have jointly applied for IPCEI funding. The aim of the individual projects is to develop a green hydrogen economy in the Saarland, France and Luxembourg. The energy company STEAG, the plant manufacturer Siemens Energy, the grid operator Creos Deutschland, the Saarbahn public transport compan, and the Stahl Holding Saar with its companies Dillinger and Saarstahl have developed a joint project idea aimed at establishing a cross border and prospectively green hydrogen economy through the production, use and transport of hydrogen. This concept has now been jointly submitted in response to the current call from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy for expressions of interest to identify important hydrogen projects of pan European interest, IPCEI for short.

Hydrogen is an energy carrier and fuel both for low carbon production of steel and for emission-free mobility in the region. Its benefits can be exploited to create value if the production and use of preferably green hydrogen and its transport through a fully functioning infrastructure are dovetailed with each other. The hydrogen projects HydroHub Fenne by STEAG, H2SYNgas by Stahl Holding Saar and TraficHdeux by Saarbahn in the Saarland and the Saarland French hydrogen project mosaHYc by Creos Deutschland form part of the alliance of projects applying jointly for funding. With the funding as an Important Project of Common European Interest, the companies hope to secure the necessary capital to implement their projects.

The mosaHYc project, jointly undertaken by the distribution grid operators Creos and GRTgaz, aims to use an existing gas infrastructure to develop a cross-border high-pressure grid for the transport of hydrogen. The aim is to create a 100-kilometer-long infrastructure that will enable hydrogen producers and consumers in the Grande Région to develop business models in industry, the heat market and the transport sector. In the context of a feasibility study, the existing pipelines are being examined and prepared for conversion to hydrogen. In addition, it is being examined to what extent an existing pipeline route between Völklingen and Saarbrücken can be used for the transport of hydrogen.

The HydroHub Fenne project (2 x 17.3 MWel or 664 kg H2 per hour, equivalent to approx. 5,800 t H2 per year) pursued by STEAG and Siemens Energy, which has already been selected as a Living lab for the energy transition, is to be the first Proton Exchange Membrane electrolysis plant of significant scale. The plant is to be built in Völklingen in the Saarland on the site of an existing STEAG power plant, taking a brownfield approach and making continued use of existing structures without any far-reaching changes or environmental impact. The plant will use electricity from renewable sources for electrolysis, producing green oxygen and green hydrogen. The green electricity will be partly generated by STEAG in its own plants, eg by STEAG New Energies and STEAG Solar Energy Solutions, or procured on the market via green power purchase agreements.

The TraficHdeux project initiated by Saarbahn aims to build up the infrastructure for operating cross-border public transport with hydrogen-powered fuel cell trains and buses. The core of this project is the reactivation of non-electrified or only partially electrified rail lines across national borders. In addition, the construction of a filling station infrastructure at the STEAG power plant site in Völklingen is planned. The bus fleet is also to be converted to zero-emission operation as quickly as possible. By 2030, Saarbahn will have to replace around 85 solo and articulated buses. The majority of these are to be procured as zero-emission vehicles. In addition, a small-scale electrolyzer is to be installed to ensure supply until the connection to the mosaHYc pipeline is completed. In order to make optimum use of the excess capacity available during the start-up phase, the filling station is therefore also to be made accessible to other municipal companies and commercial users.

The Saarland steel industry, with the companies Dillinger and Saarstahl, plays a key role as an industrial consumer in the strategic development of the regional cross-border hydrogen value chain. Use of hydrogen is required to reduce emissions from processes in the steel industry. Within the scope of the H2SYNgas innovation project, a technology is being developed at a blast furnace operated by ROGESA Roheisengesellschaft Saar mbH, a joint subsidiary of Dillinger and Saarstahl, which will enable the use of the company’s own process gases and, in addition, substantial quantities of hydrogen for the blast furnace process. The synthesis gas generated from the company's own process gases will be enriched with hydrogen. This hydrogen-rich mixed gas will then be used as a reducing agent for the reduction of iron ore, replacing coke in the blast furnace process and thus avoiding CO2 emissions. Following the coke-oven gas injection system already installed at the blast furnaces in Dillinger in 2020, Stahl Holding Saar is set to take the next step on the road to CO2-neutral steel production in the Saar region by implementing this new innovative technology.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 9 maart 2021 18:01

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Turkey extends leadership in 2020 scrap imports, China looms.

Turkey extended its lead significantly in 2020 over second- and third-largest scrap
importers India and South Korea, both of which saw intake decline versus 2019.
Nevertheless, in 2021, China is expected to easily become the second largest scrap
importer, somewhat putting in discussion Turkey’s leadership in this area going forward.

Turkish scrap imports surged 19% on-year in 2020 to 22.48 million tonnes, according to
Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) data.

Turkish crude steel output last year rose 6% on-year to 35.76mt, to support a 13% rise in
finished steel consumption to 29.4mt, although imports also increased their share in steel
use. Turkish steel demand started 2020 strongly before being curbed severely in the
second quarter due to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, it recovered impressively in the
second half of the year. Electric arc furnace-based crude steel output grew much faster
than oxygen converter output in 2020, by 8.3% to 24.78mt, supporting scrap imports.

Indian scrap imports meanwhile fell 22% in 2020 to 5.48mt, following their 11% growth in
2019, according to Indian commerce ministry data.
They thus fell back to 2017 levels.
Indian crude steel output dropped 11% last year to 99.57mt, as demand in India was
slashed by Covid-19-related restrictions in Q2 and has been slower-than-expected to
rebound thereafter. According to the latest Joint Plant Committee data, Indian finished
steel consumption in April-December 2020 fell 15% to 64.61mt. Production was to a
large extent propped up by exports of hot rolled coil and billet in Q2 and Q3, especially to
China.

South Korean scrap imports fell 32% in 2020 to 4.39mt, according to South Korea
Customs data. This was a disproportionate drop compared to crude steel output which
fell only 6% to 67.12mt, as EAF mills carried out stoppages due to weak demand.

The main beneficiary from Turkey’s growth in seaborne scrap procurement in 2020 was
top supplier US, which upped its supply by 13% to 4.35mt. This was followed by the
Netherlands and Russia which supplied 23% and 20% more respectively at 3.13mt and
2.26mt.

CHINA
Since November last year China began clearing away the existing framework for the
import of ferrous scrap and replacing it with new standards, allowing freer imports of
scrap from the start of 2021.

In 2009 when scrap imports were allowed, Chinese demand was strong and global
demand very weak, China imported 13.76mt of ferrous scrap, second only to Turkey. In
2021 the situation is set to be different, with global demand recoverying potentially more
than Chinese consuption.

Despite these uncertainties, increasing activity from China in the global scrap market is
expected and Kallanish estimates that scrap imports in China could surpass 10mt this
year.

Bron Kallanish

voda 10 maart 2021 10:07

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ArcelorMittal Investing in Green Steel Production in Germany

ArcelorMittal is taking the next steps for the industrial production of carbon neutral steel. The group has set itself the goal of reducing CO 2 emissions in Europe by 30 percent by 2030 and producing climate-neutrally by 2050. To this end, ArcelorMittal is pursuing a global strategy, on the one hand using smart carbon technologies in the blast furnace process and on the other hand using innovative DRI technologies in combination with an electric arc furnace. In Germany, the group already operates a plant in Hamburg with a DRI system and electric arc furnace, which is preparing to switch to the use of hydrogen. With the planned expansion of the hydrogen infrastructure in Germany, ArcelorMittal intends to build a large-scale industrial plant for the direct reduction of iron in Bremen and an innovative DRI pilot plant in Eisenhüttenstadt in combination with electric arc furnaces by 2026.

Using green hydrogen, a capacity of up to 3.5 million tonnes of steel will then be produced with significantly fewer CO2 emissions. Depending on the amount of hydrogen available, CO2-Savings of more than 5 million tonnes compared to the current blast furnace route are made possible. The change in technology requires investments in the billions and causes significantly higher production costs. This year, the two blast furnaces at the sites will be converted to inject natural gas and thus the CO 2 in 2021-Emissions is already being reduced further. Then DRI systems are to be set up at both locations. In Bremen, ArcelorMittal wants to use natural gas and later hydrogen from electrolysis in the transition phase, which is to be made available as part of the regional North German Clean Hydrogen Coastline network. This sponge iron will initially supply the steelworks in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt until the regional hydrogen cluster in East Brandenburg can also supply the Eisenhüttenstadt site with sufficient hydrogen for steel production. In the transition phase, the additional hydrogen required in Eisenhüttenstadt is to be generated from natural gas with the help of a pyrolysis plant that is being built on the factory premises.

With a production volume of around 8 million tonnes of crude steel, ArcelorMittal is one of the largest steel manufacturers in Germany. The company operates four large production sites in Germany. This includes two integrated flat steel plants in Bremen and Eisenhüttenstadt as well as two long steel plants in Hamburg and Duisburg. With ArcelorMittal Construction in Sandersdorf / Brehna, the group also maintains a production site with sales for sandwich panels as well as profiling systems for cassette, trapezoidal, support, design and corrugated profiles. In addition, the group has a well-developed sales network in Germany with four steel service centers and ten steel trading locations.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:07

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AM/NS India Launches Premium Colour Coated Steel KALASH

AM/NS India has launched premium colour coated steel range KALASH and KALASH GOLD. KALASH range of colour coated steel is offered with a warranty of 3 years and 5 years respectively and proven to resist issues like chalking, fading and paint peeling. KALASH range is being manufactured at AM/NS India manufacturing facilities in a variety of regular as well as bespoke shades, and they can be ordered straight from the mill, as well as be distributed via the company’s authorised dealers. The new offerings will also be available through the AM/NS India Hypermart distribution network. AM/NS India is geared up to service all requirements of Kalash within 5 to 7 days of ordering.

AM/NS India Director & Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Mr Alain Legrix said “With the launch of ‘KALASH’, AM/NS India is innovating again and bringing to the market new steel solutions. It will bring added value to the end-users including an exclusive level of services via the short lead time we are proposing. Backed by our technical development team and application engineers, we at AM/NS India are focused to deliver the best of products and services to our customers, specifically in our colour coated steel range, all across the country.”

Source - Strategic Research Institute

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voda 10 maart 2021 10:09

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TMK Acquires 87% Stake in ChTPZ to Create Russian Pipe Giant

Russian steel pipe maker PJSC TMK and PJSC ChTPZ controlling shareholder Mr Andrei Komarov announced the conclusion of a transaction for the acquisition of 86.54% of shares in PJSC ChTPZ by PJSC TMK. All necessary approvals, including those from the FAS Russia, have been received. ChTPZ Group unites enterprises and companies of ferrous metallurgy Chelyabinsk Pipe-Rolling Plant, Pervouralsk Novotrubny Plant, ChTPZ Warehouse Complex, which sells the Group's pipe products in the regions, META scrap metal procurement and processing company; enterprises for the production of trunk equipment SOT, ETERNO, MSA in Czech Republic; the oilfield service business is represented by the Rimera company. With a sufficient number of capacities for the production of welded and seamless pipes of a wide range, a developed system of warehouses, the ChTPZ Group positions itself as an effective universal player in the pipe market of Russia and the CIS countries, specializing in the manufacture of pipe products for all major sectors of the economy.

PJSC TMK Chairman Mr Dmitry Pumpyansky said “Today's event is another step in the implementation of TMK's long-term strategy aimed at expanding the production base and sales markets, diversifying the product portfolio and developing the scientific, technical and innovative component of the business. ChelPipe is a recognized, strong player in the Russian pipe market with modern production facilities, a highly professional team, its own scientific developments, and established sales channels. Combining the listed advantages with all TMK competencies will give a powerful synergistic effect, ensure the energy security of Russia and solve strategic problems of import substitution, and will also allow TMK to completely cover the needs of domestic fuel and energy companies in special types of pipes and remove in this part the technological dependence of complex oil and gas projects on foreign developments and suppliers.”

Chairman of the Board of Directors of PJSC ChTPZ Mr Andrey Komarov said “I am deeply satisfied with the deal, I am sure that the consolidation with TMK, a successful global company that has the highest reputation and builds its business on the principles of sustainable development and social responsibility, will allow ChelPipe and the company's team to continue to move forward progressively, making a significant contribution to the social economic development of the country, including the best in the country teaching methodology under the program The Future of White Metallurgy, but most importantly, the company has formed a professional team capable of solving the most ambitious tasks.”

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:10

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Nippon Steel Takes the Challenge of Zero Carbon Steel

Nippon Steel in new medium to long term management plan has announced that as a part of widespread efforts toward achieving a decarbonized society, by adopting Nippon Steel Carbon Neutral Vision 2050 A Challenge of Zero-Carbon Steel as our own new initiative, Nippon Steel will consider and implement various measures as a top priority management issue in order to win development competitions with competitors in Europe, the United States, China and South Korea and to continue to lead the world’s steel industry. By 2030, Nippon Steel plan is to achieve reduction of CO2 emissions by 30% compared to 2013 through the practical implementation of COURSE505 into the current blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace processes, reduction of CO2 emissions in existing processes, and establishment of an efficient production framework.

Toward 2050, Nippon Steel will take on the challenge of adopting ultra-innovative technologies such as mass production of high-grade steel in electric furnaces, drastic reduction of CO2 emissions through Super-COURSE506 and other developments in hydrogen reduction methods, and production of direct reduction iron using hydrogen, and we will aim to achieve carbon neutrality by taking a multi-aspect approach, including measures to offset carbon through CCUS7 and other methods. In particular, the 100% hydrogen direct reduction method of steelmaking, which is the ultimate zero carbon steelmaking technology, is an unprecedented technology that is not yet proven and possesses extremely high innovation hurdles. In addition, the mass production of high-grade steel by electric furnaces requires the development and use of extremely complex technology, an increase in size and efficiency, and the establishment of technology for eliminating harmful elements from hazardous materials. Realization of the blast furnace hydrogen reduction method will also require the establishment of technology related to hydrogen heating and blowing of endothermic reactions during hydrogen reduction. These innovations will require R&D expenses of approximately JPY 500 billion and JPY 4 to 5 trillion in investments in facilities. Moreover, it is possible that the production cost of crude steel even in the best-case scenario as of 2050, which factors in potential external conditions, Nippon Steel be more than double that of current costs.

The above mentioned zero-carbon steel cannot be achieved by the steel industry alone. The list of premises for realization includes

1. Long-term and continuous government support for research and development of non-continuous innovation and equipment implementation.

2. Establishment of inexpensive and stable large-scale hydrogen supply infrastructure

3. Realization of carbon free power at an internationally competitive cost.

4. Promotion of national projects for the development and commercialization of economically viable CCUS

5. Securing equal-footing in international competition

6. Establishment of a system that enormous costs will be borne by society as a whole.

In addition to promoting fundamental technological innovations in the steelmaking process, Nippon Steel will contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality with our products contributing to C02 emission reduction, through development and supply capacity increase of high-performance products such as ultra-high-tensile strength steel sheets for body weight reduction and high-performance electric steel sheets for drive motors which are used in electric vehicles, by building the next-generation hot strip mill at the Nagoya Works and the strengthening of the production framework for electric steel sheets.

COURSE50 is a project to develop technology to partially use hydrogen in the blast furnace reduction of iron ore, instead of coking coal.

Super-COURSE50 is a subsequent project to develop technology to raise the hydrogen reduction ratio in the blast furnace steelmaking method.

Carbon dioxide capture, utilization and storage is a technology which separates and recovers CO2 in gases, utilizes it in the form of chemicals and fuels, or stores it underground.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

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voda 10 maart 2021 10:11

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GFG Alliance Boss Mr Sanjeev Gupta Assures UK Unions

GFG Alliance boss Mr Sanjeev Gupta in crisis talks with unions concerned for Liberty's future after specialist bank Greensill Capital went into administration said that the collapse of its main financial backer creates a challenging situation. Mr Gupta said "We have adequate funding for our current needs while we bridge the gap to refinancing the business. GFG Alliance as a whole is operationally strong and benefiting from a 13 year high in steel prices. Through our global efficiency drive we’ve improved our operations’ margins with most of our major businesses generating positive cash flows. As part of the prudent steps we are taking to manage cash, we are discussing new opportunities with customers and suppliers to improve cash flow. Securing alternative long-term funding is progressing well, but would take some time to organise. We had been preparing to refinance the business to diversify away from Greensill and broaden our capital base. We are working on securing working capital facilities to support Liberty and bridge the funding gap while refinancing took place. While this takes place we have asked all of our businesses to manage cash carefully.”

Mr Gupta also said “There are some exceptions and I'm sorry to say that includes some of our UK steel businesses. Demand for some products had fallen as much as 60% during the pandemic following the severe downturn in the aerospace sector due to Covid-19.”

Representatives for the National Trade Union Steel Co ordinating Committee, comprising of Community, Unite and GMB, called the meeting with GFG boss Mr Sanjeev Gupta positive and constructive. They said “It is clear Mr Gupta intends to secure a refinancing of the debt to provide the business with the necessary liquidity going forward. We recognise Mr Gupta’s desire to see Liberty Steel succeed, and recognise also his personal contribution in giving distressed UK steel assets a new lease of life. The unions have told Mr Gupta our priority is to secure the future of all Liberty Steel’s UK assets, and to this end all options should be considered. Given the strategic importance of Liberty’s steel operations, and their fundamental importance to delivering the UK’s climate objectives, we believe government must take an active role to facilitate a comprehensive solution that safeguards the future and protect jobs. Following today’s meeting we will meet with our senior representatives from across Liberty Steel UK.”

GFG Alliance has three industry pillars or brands LIBERTY Steel Group, ALVANCE Aluminium Group and SIMEC Energy Group. GFG Alliance’s LIBERTY Steel Group is a global steel and mining company with 30,000 employees in more than 200 locations on four continents. ALVANCE Aluminium Group brings together its assets across the global aluminium supply chain including Europe’s largest aluminium smelter ALVANCE Aluminium Dunkerque, and the UK’s only remaining aluminium smelter at Fort William in Scotland. The GFG Alliance is a fast growing developer and operator of renewable power in the UK and Australia through the SIMEC Group.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:13

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Protest against RINL VSP Privatization Intensifies Further

Tension prevailed as trade unions and VSP employees intensified their stir. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited’s Steel Plant Parirakashana Samithi blocked the administrative office of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited in protest against Union Finance Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman's remarks in the Parliament. Their numbers swelled with the employees, their family members, trade union leaders along with activists rushed to the administrative building and prevented any official or staff from entering it. An effigy of Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi was also burnt during a protest near the Gandhi statue, opposite the GVMC. Trade union leaders squatted on various roads, opposing the privatisation move. They said the agitation will be taken to the next level. They demanded that the state government should step forward to mount pressure on the Union government to withdraw its decision on privatising VSP

Joint Action Committee of trade unions of the steel plant chairman and CITU leader M Jaggu Naidu warned the BJP government of serious consequences, if it went ahead with its decision. They recalled that the people had given 22,000 acres of land for the establishment of the plant. In addition, the state government has been providing infrastructural facilities like water.

Meanwhile Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Mr YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has once again written a letter to Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi opposing privatisation of Vizag Steel Plant and sought an appointment with the Prime Minister to discuss the issue. He wrote “I will bring an all-party delegation including the representatives of trade unions to represent to you directly the concerns being expressed by the people of Andhra Pradesh, employees and various stakeholders.”

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:13

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Alacero Warns on Chinese Shift to Scrap Based Steel Making

Latin American Steel Association Alacero announced that the change in the way of producing steel in China will trigger a process of distortion in emerging markets, such as Latin America. China is transforming its steel production from blast furnaces to electric furnaces in China, in line with its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, which will require a significant amount of scrap that it did not consume before. With this change, the demand for scrap from the Asian giant will tend to grow exponentially, causing an even greater distortion in emerging markets such as Latin America, which depends on scrap as the main input for steel production. In 2020 China accounted for 57% of global steel production with 1,053 million tons. This new factor adds to the excess capacity of 590 million tons in 2020 that has been present for some years, of which China is responsible for 18%.

Given the projected economic growth of 3.6% of GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2021, the region is betting on the execution of new infrastructure and construction projects. This will mean a greater demand for steel for which a significant volume of scrap is required to supply regional requirements. Latin American countries are in time to take measures to prevent this change in Chinese industry from impacting local markets, affecting job creation.

The restriction on scrap exports is one of the main measures, as Colombia did in 2020 through Decree 1120, which corresponds to a semi-annual volume of scrap equivalent to 42% of the need for the sector to achieve growth of 15 %. The control measures contained in Decree 1120, which must be maintained and even adapted to new macroeconomic conditions, are based on the agreements of the World Trade Organization (WTO), due to the insufficient availability of this particular raw material that turn ferrous scrap into a fundamental input for industries such as housing construction and infrastructure. This year it is estimated that production in Colombia will return to 2019 volumes. A huge effort by the industry to have product available,

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:15

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Ternium Unveils USD 500 million Environmental Investment Plan

Leading steel company in Latin America Ternium announced a plan of USD 500 million in environmentally friendly projects and technologies for its plants, mainly in those located in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. In its latest plan through 2019, the company invested USD 260 million in projects related to the environment and energy efficiency at all its facilities. Now, his new plan adds USD 500 million dollars, in a strategy to be implemented in the next seven years. The projects will be focused on the reduction of emissions, effluent management and materials management, especially in the Nuevo León plants, in Mexico; San Nicolás de los Arroyos, in Argentina; and Santa Cruz, in Brazil.

Among the projects to be carried out are: the construction of domes and raw materials silos at the Guerrero Plant in San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León; the modification of the Secondary Aspiration System of the Steelworks of San Nicolás de los Arroyos, Argentina; and the baghouse at the Sinter plant in Brazil

The company reported on this environmental investment plan in parallel with the announcement of its Decarbonization Route, an initiative with which it plans to reduce its specific CO2 emissions by 20% by 2030.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:17

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Mechel Chelyabinsk Plant Switches to Natural Gas in Rolling Mills

Mechel Group’s Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant has switched to the mixed use of natural and blast furnace gases in the production process of rolling shops and a shaped casting shop. Previously, for the production needs of these workshops of the plant, a mixture of blast furnace gas and coke oven gas was used. Now, instead of coke oven gas, natural gas is used - the cleanest type of fossil fuel. When it burns, a much smaller amount of harmful substances is formed compared to other types of fuel. As a result of the work, atmospheric emissions will be reduced by 2 thousand tons per year.

To switch to a new mixed fuel, Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant upgraded two gas mixing stations for mixing 20% ??of natural gas into the blast furnace, and connected special gas pipelines that deliver fuel to the mill's rolling shops. The new mixed fuel will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions into the air of Chelyabinsk from 8% to 2.5% of the total sulfur emissions from Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant per year.

One of the important results of the project was the complete cessation of the discharge of coke condensate into the industrial effluents of the plant, which is formed in the process of cooling gas fuel. Thus, Chelyabinsk Metallurgical Plant has fulfilled another clause of the environmental agreement to reduce the impact on water bodies, which Mechel entered into with the Governor of the Chelyabinsk Region, Alexey Teksler, in 2020.

The project was implemented within the framework of a four-sided environmental agreement between the company, the Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation, Rosprirodnadzor, and the government of the Chelyabinsk Region.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:18

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GFG Alliance Misses HM Revenue & Customs Tax Payments

Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that Mr Sanjeev Gupta’s plants have missed payments to the UK tax authorities, as concerns mount over his industrial empire following the collapse of its main funder Greensill Capital. Sourced told Financial Times “They failed to transfer monies owed to HM Revenue & Customs under the pay as you earn PAYE system for staff workers as well as VAT. Some of the money owed stems from deferrals the government granted last year to help businesses cope with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.”

GFG Alliance declined to comment on the tax issue.

HM Revenue & Customs said that “Due to taxpayer confidentially we are unable to comment on an identifiable business.”

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:18

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AIC to Upgrade Finishing Area at Cogne Acciai Speciali in Italy

Italian Automazioni Industriali Capitanio SRL has successfully and safely completed the scheduled start-up phase of the rolling mill at Cogne Acciai Speciali at Aosta in Italy in January 2021. Based on a detailed risk analysis performed during the last year with the technical support of the Italian company NECSI, this project is focused on upgrade of the PLC control systems of the finishing area for both Wire rod and Garrett lines. The scope of supply included

Upgrade of the existing automation & control system replacing the obsolete S5 controllers with Siemens S7-1500 PLC

Design, manufacturing, supply, electrical erection and commissioning of the new safety and PLC control cabinets

Revamping of network interfaces and the communication between a new PLC and existing control PLCs of Mill and WTP

Implementation of new Profinet & ProfiSafe network between new PLC Master and new local equipment equipped with fail-safe cards

Engineering of safety fences and protections, as well as access gates to the segregated areas

Interface with the existing power control panels

After dismantling and replacing the obsolete systems and equipment in a very short time, the upgrade increases the quality and reliability of the entire system.

Cogne Acciai Speciali is one of the leading producers of stainless-steel long products. The company includes steel shop, forging shop, rolling mill, finishing department and machines shop. The production area is equipped with: EAF UHP, AOD converter, RH degassing, continuous casting, blooming mill, integrated mill, CNC machine tools. This allows producing such products as: ingots, blooms, billets, round and flat forged, seamless tubes and profiles, bars, wire rods, etc.

AIC is a global system integrator providing advanced and tailored automation and robotic solutions for the steel industry, with the aim to continuously improve efficiency, competitiveness and safety of the production processes. With more than 1000 applications worldwide and more than 40 years of history, AIC can boost a unique experience in both greenfield and revamping projects in meltshops and long products rolling mills.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:19

0

POSCO & Hyundai Sign MOU on Hydrogen Business Cooperation

On February 16, Hyundai Motor Group and POSCO Group signed a business agreement on hydrogen business cooperation at POSCO. POSCO Group CEO Mr Jeong-Woo Choi said “Currently, POSCO Group has 7,000 tonnes of production capacity for by product hydrogen and has also been engaging in green hydrogen projects overseas. With POSCO Group producing and supplying hydrogen and Hyundai Motor Group putting them into use, we will find various opportunities for cooperation and will secure initiatives for the hydrogen economy.”

Both companies accepted achieving carbon neutrality and converting to the hydrogen economy as vital tasks to create sustainability and agreed on the following

1. Developing utilization technology for hydrogen energy

2. Converting current operating vehicles within POSCO steelworks to pollution-free fuel cell electric vehicles

3. Joint partnership in hydrogen business.

Regarding the development of hydrogen energy utilization technology, POSCO Group will develop green hydrogen manufacturing technology using ammonia, and Hyundai Motor Group will promote fuel cell power generation business utilizing POSCO Group’s green hydrogen. Also, both companies will continue to collaborate in the development and application research of next-generation materials for hydrogen vehicles based on POSCO’s world-class steel technology.

In addition, 1,500 vehicles currently being operated at POSCO Pohang and Gwangyang Works will be replaced with Hyundai Motor’s pollution-free fuel cell electric vehicles gradually. Hyundai Motor will develop commercial hydrogen trucks appropriate for steel logistics, while POSCO plans to use by-product hydrogen produced in steelworks as the energy source for these hydrogen trucks. Both companies also agreed to cooperate to construct hydrogen stations for hydrogen trucks within the steelworks.

POSCO and Hyundai Motor will also join forces in the hydrogen business, which both companies have been promoting respectively. With POSCO Group’s by-product hydrogen production capacity and Hyundai Motor Group’s fuel cell business competency, the companies will develop domestic projects for fuel cell power generation and seek ways to participate in green hydrogen production projects overseas.

The two companies have previously collaborated in the hydrogen sector by applying Poss470FC, the world’s first non-coated bipolar plate for fuel cell electric vehicles developed by POSCO Group, to Nexo, Hyundai Motor automotive model. The newly established MOU is expected to create greater synergy in the hydrogen business.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:20

0

Nucor to Build HSS Tube Mill in the Midwest in US

Nucor Corporation announced that its Board of Directors have approved plans to build a tube mill in the Midwest, the largest consuming region for steel and steel products. Products from the new tube mill will capitalize on investments Nucor has already made in the Midwest including a plate mill, galvanizing line and hot roll expansion. The new tube mill is a continuation of Nucor's focus on growth and commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. The USD 164 million investment project is expected to be in operation in two years. The new tube mill will have the capacity to produce approximately 250,000 tons of hollow structural section tubing, mechanical steel tubing and galvanized solar torque tube, which will increase Nucor's product offerings for construction, infrastructure and renewable energy in the expanding solar market in the United States.

Nucor's Tubular Products Group was formed in 2016 when Nucor entered the tube market with the acquisitions of Southland Tube, Independence Tube Corp. and Republic Conduit. Today, Nucor's Tubular Products consists of eight tubular facilities that are strategically located in close proximity to Nucor's sheet mills as they are a consumer of hot-rolled coil. The Nucor's Tubular Products Group produces HSS steel tubing, mechanical steel tubing, piling, sprinkler pipe, heat-treated tubing and electrical conduit. Total annual Nucor's Tubular Products capacity is approximately 1,365,000 tons.

Nucor and its affiliates are manufacturers of steel and steel products, with operating facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Products produced include: carbon and alloy steel in bars, beams, sheet and plate; hollow structural section tubing; electrical conduit; steel piling; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; precision castings; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating; and wire and wire mesh. Nucor, through The David J Joseph Company, also brokers ferrous and nonferrous metals, pig iron and hot briquetted iron / direct reduced iron; supplies ferro-alloys; and processes ferrous and nonferrous scrap. Nucor is North America's largest recycler.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

voda 10 maart 2021 10:21

0

Greensill Crisis Exposes Risks of Shadow Banking

Financial Times reported that revolutions in finance have a nasty way of ending badly, especially when they happen at breakneck speed and that the capacity of shadow banking to spring more dangerous systemic shocks should not be underestimated. Greensill Capital went from nothing in 2011, when Mr Lex Greensill abandoned a big-bank career, doing global supply chain financing at Morgan Stanley and Citibank, to go it alone. By 2019 this upstart non-bank says it had extended USD 143 billion of financing to 10 million plus customers and suppliers in 175 countries. Its founder also notched up powerful contacts in government and hired former UK Prime Minister Mr David Cameron as an adviser.

In supply chain financing the face of the balance sheet conveys little about the nature of the risks being run. Supply chain financing is just a fancy modern name for the age old practice of factoring whereby suppliers sell at a discount the debts their customers owes them to a financier who collects the full amount in due course. Lex Greensill’s revolutionary innovation was to realise that these debts could be packaged into investment funds, much as the big investment banks turned subprime mortgages into securities before the 2008 financial crisis.

The investors, who were chiefly clients of Credit Suisse Asset Management and fund manager GAM, required Greensill to take out credit insurance to cover the debts. But, unlike the subprime mortgage lenders, Greensill continued to have skin in the game because it was exposed to first losses under an uninsured part of the fund. This insurance was an important safeguard for investors, not least because the portfolio was heavily concentrated. The Scope rating agency estimated in 2019, for example, that two-thirds of the German subsidiary’s loans originated from a single group of linked private companies.

Source - Strategic Research Institute

Vertraagd	3 mei 2024 17:35
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