Why Stainless Steel Scrap Gain Favor? SMM Reports

Published: Aug 22, 2017 14:26
Recently, stainless steel scrap is increasingly favored by some downstream producers.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 22 (SMM) – Recently, stainless steel scrap is increasingly favored by downstream producers, and some domestic stainless steel mills told SMM that they have already increased or planned to increase purchases and using of stainless steel scrap.

Why?

China Low-Grade NPI Price Keeps Rising, SMM Reports

According to SMM data, prices of stainless steel scrap and high-grade NPI had been advancing with LME nickel from late July to early August. Price gains of high-grade NPI were higher than those of stainless steel scrap, and prices of ferrochrome and pig iron increased significantly in August, with ferrochrome gaining as much as 13 per cent from the level seen in late July, growing consumption advantages of stainless steel scrap.

Raw Materials

#304 Stainless Steel Scrap

High-carbon  ferrochrome

Pig Iron

High-grade NPI

Up from late Jul. to Aug. 17

6%

13%

5%

7%

Source: SMM

Hence, some domestic steel mills increased using of stainless steel scrap. But, not all mills plan to increase the usages due to following three factors.

What’s Raw Material Choice at China Stainless Steel Mills after NPI Shortages and Price Rise? SMM Reports

First, furnace’s type and specification restricts input ratio of raw materials. Second, profits are acceptable to them, and they will not adjust their raw material structures unless stainless steel scrap enjoys significant consumption advantages. Third, it is difficult to get VAT invoice for stainless steel scrap after China’s reform of replacing business tax with value-added tax, restricting usage of stainless steel scrap.

For news cooperation, please contact us by email: sallyzhang@smm.cn or service.en@smm.cn.

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
Nickel Prices Rise Amid Cost Pressures, Stainless Steel Demand Subdued
5 hours ago
Nickel Prices Rise Amid Cost Pressures, Stainless Steel Demand Subdued
Read More
Nickel Prices Rise Amid Cost Pressures, Stainless Steel Demand Subdued
Nickel Prices Rise Amid Cost Pressures, Stainless Steel Demand Subdued
[SMM Nickel Flash] March 4 news: Supply side, nickel ore and auxiliary material prices continued to rise, upstream cost pressure gradually increased, and quotes remained firm. Demand side, steel scrap currently has a clear cost advantage, stainless steel selling prices were flat, and under losses pressure, purchasing sentiment was relatively subdued.
5 hours ago
SMM High-Grade NPI Sentiment Rises in March, Upstream and Downstream Factors Improve
5 hours ago
SMM High-Grade NPI Sentiment Rises in March, Upstream and Downstream Factors Improve
Read More
SMM High-Grade NPI Sentiment Rises in March, Upstream and Downstream Factors Improve
SMM High-Grade NPI Sentiment Rises in March, Upstream and Downstream Factors Improve
[SMM High-Grade NPI] News on March 4: The SMM high-grade NPI market sentiment factor was 2.09, up 0.02 MoM; the high-grade NPI upstream sentiment factor was 2.87, up 0.01 MoM; and the high-grade NPI downstream sentiment factor was 1.32, up 0.03 MoM.
5 hours ago
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesian Major Mill Hikes 316L Export Price by $100/t
5 hours ago
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesian Major Mill Hikes 316L Export Price by $100/t
Read More
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesian Major Mill Hikes 316L Export Price by $100/t
[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Indonesian Major Mill Hikes 316L Export Price by $100/t
According to SMM, on March 4, an Indonesian major stainless steel mill raised its 316L export quotation by USD 100/mt, pushing the price spread between 316L and 304 to USD 1,800/mt. This sharp increase is driven by a rallying molybdenum market: while domestic mines have begun concentrated shipments, molybdenum concentrate transaction prices continue to trend upward. The entire industry chain currently exhibits firm raw material prices and cost-driven pressure, with downstream demand gradually following suit. Strong cost support from the ferromolybdenum market has led to this significant price divergence.
5 hours ago
Why Stainless Steel Scrap Gain Favor? SMM Reports - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)