Stainless steel production holds stable in Apr

SHANGHAI, May 9 (SMM) – Production of stainless steel in China edged up 0.03% from March to stand at 2.34 million mt in April, up 12.08% on a yearly basis, an SMM survey showed.

With a southern mill transferred part of its 300-series capacity to produce 200-series products, output of 300-series stainless steel declined 4.7% to 1.17 million mt last month, while that of 200-series rose 7.98% to 810,200 mt.

Production of 400-series inched down 0.41% to 362,000 mt.

Stainless steel production is expected to expand to 2.39 million mt in May, with output of 300-series extending its declines, down 2.53% to 1.14 million mt as the mill continues to cut its 300-series output and turn to 200-series.

In May, output of 200-series stainless steel is expected to grow 5.9% to 858,000 mt, and that of 400-series is estimated to gain 8.56% to 393,000 mt.