SHANGHAI, Apr 8 (SMM) – Jiangsu-based Shagang Group, China's largest private steelmaker, plans to put a 480m³ blast furnace under maintenance for 16 days this month, SMM learned.

This is expected to reduce production of pig iron by 1,500 mt per day, or about 24,000 mt in total.

The steelmaker will also put its converter and electric arc furnace (EAF) under maintenance for 16 and 30 days, respectively.

The overhaul on the converter will reduce production of crude steel by 5,000 mt per day, or 80,000 mt in total, while that on the EAF will reduce production of crude steel by 3,000 mt per day, or 90,000 mt in total.

A wire rod production line and heavy and medium plate facilities will also undertake maintenance, for 15 and 16 days, respectively.

That is expected to reduce production of wire rods by 30,000 mt and that of heavy and medium plate by 64,000 mt.