SHANGHAI, Dec 17 (SMM) – Tangshan, China’s top steelmaking hub has lifted level II smog control measures.

The current round of production restrictions, starting from noon last Friday, had little impact on steel production, according to an SMM survey, as existing sinter inventories and limited curbs on blast furnaces allowed mills to maintain production.

Sintering and pelletising facilities were targeted by the production curbs in the past four days, while there were limited restrictions from blast furnaces.

Mills usually restock sinters for one week consumption, which ensures minimal disruption to their steelmaking process in the short term. But steel production is set to be affected if production restrictions last for longer.

Surveyed steelmakers including Tangshan Steel, Ganglu Steel, Zongheng Steel, Yanshan Steel and Donghua Steel reported that they were in normal operation.

Tangshan Stainless said it suspended its 1,580-mm hot-rolling line, which affected daily production of 10,000 mt.