[SMM survey] Under the pressure of the off-season, August hot metal production may remain stable.

Published: Aug 5, 2026 16:15

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According to SMM's tracking survey data, daily average pig iron production in July fell by more than 20,000 mt compared with June. The average daily hot metal production in August is expected to be on par with July, facing significant resistance to growth.

According to SMM's tracking survey data, in July, steel mills nationwide had blast furnaces with 28 undergoing new maintenance, resulting in a daily hot metal reduction of approximately 111,300 mt . The maintenance was mainly concentrated in North China. Meanwhile, 26 blast furnaces resumed production, adding a daily hot metal output of about 102,300 mt . Production resumptions were also mainly in North China, primarily due to short-term maintenance and recovery caused by environmental protection-driven production restrictions in Hebei. SMM survey data shows that in July, blast furnace maintenance led to a net decrease of 5.9742 million mt in hot metal production, up 920,000 mt MoM from June. According to SMM's daily average hot metal production data, daily average pig iron production in July was down by over 20,000 mt compared to June.

Source: SMM

According to SMM's latest survey data, in August, steel mills nationwide plan to have 12 blast furnaces undergoing new maintenance , mainly in North China, with a daily hot metal reduction of about 65,900 mt; meanwhile, 19 blast furnaces will resume production , adding a daily hot metal output of about 76,300 mt; based on comprehensive calculations, it is expected that blast furnace maintenance will result in a net decrease of 6.04 million mt in hot metal production in August, with the average daily hot metal production edging up by 2,300 mt MoM from July. Considering the ongoing off-season impact and the significant steel inventory pressure at some steel mills, there is still a possibility of new blast furnace shutdowns or maintenance in August, so hot metal production is unlikely to grow in the month.

Source: SMM

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