[China Exported 14.6 Million mt of Steel Sheets & Plates in Q1]

The National Energy Administration released data on total electricity consumption for March. In March, total electricity consumption reached 859.5 billion kWh, up 3.5% YoY. By sector, the primary industry consumed 11.3 billion kWh, up 6.7% YoY. The secondary industry consumed 570.8 billion kWh, up 2.0% YoY, of which industrial electricity consumption was 566.1 billion kWh, up 2.3% YoY, and high-tech and equipment manufacturing consumed 105.4 billion kWh, up 5.6% YoY. The tertiary industry consumed 160.1 billion kWh, up 7.7% YoY, of which electricity consumption for EV charging and battery swapping services and internet data services reached 13 billion and 8 billion kWh respectively, with YoY growth rates of 51.3% and 40.1% respectively.

[SMM Steel] Hoa Phat Group has commissioned a new steel pipe plant with an investment of VND 2 trillion (~$80 million) and capacity of 400,000 tonnes per year, lifting total pipe capacity to 1.2 million tonnes per year and maintaining ~35% domestic market share. The plant supplies construction-grade pipes (black pipes, galvanized, large-size pipes) for major projects such as Long Thanh Airport. Q1 pipe sales reached 241,000 mt (+30% YoY), with strong demand in southern Vietnam.

Bao Gang United Steel released its 2025 annual report, reporting revenue of 66.358 billion yuan, down 2.54% YoY, and net profit attributable to shareholders of the publicly listed firm of 374 million yuan, up 41.19% YoY. During the reporting period, the company produced 14.9575 million mt of pig iron, 15.7313 million mt of steel, and 14.7225 million mt of commercial billets and finished products, as well as 801,100 mt of fluorite concentrates.