December China stainless steel production rose 9% from year ago

SHANGHAI, Jan 8 (SMM) – China produced 2.4 million mt of stainless steel in December, down 1.65% from a month ago but up 9.05% from a year ago, showed SMM data.

Last month, production of 200-series in China dipped 0.54% to 807,600 mt, as a mill in the south was on maintenance.

Output of 300-series declined 4.25% to 1.12 million mt, as annual overhaul at Zhangjiagang Pohang and Delong in east China continued through to early December.

Production of 400-series rose 2.94% to 479,400 mt in December, as eastern mills recovered from environmental restrictions and as some shifted from 300-series to 400-series.

China’s production of stainless steel is expected to drop 13.51% to 2.08 million mt in January, to see a year-over-year increase of 4.26%.

This month, production of 200-series is likely to decrease 20.59% to 641,300 mt, and that of 300-series will shrink 12.71% to 974,100 mt as there are mills in the south to undertake annual maintenance. Output of 400-series is estimated to reduce 3.43% to 462,900 mt.