SHANGHAI, Oct 28 (SMM) - The operating rates of blast furnaces at steel mills dropped 0.15% from a week ago, but increased 4.01% from a month ago to 77.85% as of October 27, SMM survey showed. Shanxi released a production restriction plan for autumn and winter, and local steel companies released blast furnace maintenance plan, which led to a slight decrease in the operating rates this week.
SMM data shows that the molten iron output fell 1.34 million mt amid maintenance of blast furnace, up 7.3% on the week and 720% on the year. The affected molten iron output is expected to decline slightly next week as individual major steel mills will resume production.
Some mills are still striving to realise the goal that this year’s output do should not exceed the output last year. Most blast furnaces continue to be overhauled. In addition, Shanxi issued a notice on launching staggered production in autumn and winter of 2021-2022. Local steel companies released blast furnace maintenance plans. Domestic steel companies will maintain the current state of production reduction, while other provinces in north China are about to enter the heating season. The relevant production restrictions policy is expected to be introduced in November. The blast furnace operating rates in north China are expected to decline further in mid-to-long term.
