[NEMO Industries selects ENERGIRON DRI technology for Louisiana pig iron facility]

This week, HRC social inventory was 2.9197 million mt, up 83,700 mt WoW (+2.95%), up 29.76% YoY, and up 42.06% YoY (lunar calendar). This week, HRC mill inventory was 1.1116 million mt, down 5,000 mt WoW (-0.45%), up 9.74% YoY, and up 14.11% YoY (lunar calendar). This week, total HRC inventory was 4.0313 million mt, up 78,600 mt WoW (+1.99%), up 23.55% YoY, and up 33.07% YoY (lunar calendar).

[Iran] Constrained by shipping route restrictions (severe limits on vessels not transiting via Oman or the UAE), heightened maritime risks, and payment/contractual uncertainties, Iran's export activity remained virtually paralyzed last week. In terms of quotes, Iranian slab export offers held steady at 425–430 USD/tonne FOB (for September loading), though no actual transactions were concluded. Domestically, while slab production capacity is expected to rebound as peak summer power constraints ease, elevated electricity and gas tariffs continue to provide a solid cost floor for mill ex-works prices. For finished flat products, domestic HRC prices gained support from local currency (rial) depreciation and rising replacement costs, whereas CRC and HDG prices remained under pressure due to sluggish end-user demand and cautious buyer procurement.

India’s JTL Industries Limited said its subsidiary, JTL Engineering Limited, will invest approximately 1.6USD million (150million INR) to expand its narrow-width hot-rolled coil manufacturing capacity. The project will double capacity from 5,000tonnes/month to 10,000tonnes/month, equivalent to an increase from 60,000tonnes/year to 120,000tonnes/year, and is scheduled for commissioning in Q4 FY2026-27. The upgrade will also raise the maximum coil width from 9inches (228.6mm) to 11inches (279.4mm), enabling the company to manufacture a broader range of specifications. JTL Engineering uses sponge iron and ferrous scrap as its principal raw materials, while the additional output is expected to strengthen JTL Industries’ backward integration and captive HRC supply.