[SMM Blast Furnace Operating Rate] Annual Inspections of Blast Furnaces Gradually Increase, Pig Iron Production Slightly Declines

This week, four blast furnaces underwent maintenance, while six blast furnaces resumed production. The blast furnaces under maintenance were mainly concentrated in the Hebei region, while those resuming production were primarily located in Sichuan and Shanxi. Currently, with steel mill profits under pressure, some steel mills are gradually formulating annual maintenance plans for their blast furnaces, leading to a slight decline in pig iron production. Looking ahead to the next cycle, according to SMM tracking data, four blast furnaces are expected to undergo maintenance, and five blast furnaces are expected to resume production. The blast furnaces under maintenance will still be concentrated in Hebei, while those resuming production will be distributed across Shanxi, Anhui, and Hebei. If the blast furnaces previously under maintenance resume production as planned, pig iron production is expected to increase slightly next week. However, considering the current pressure on steel mill profits, some steel mills may temporarily formulate maintenance plans, which could result in pig iron production falling below expectations in the future.