[SMM Sheets & Plates Daily Review] Short-Term Sheets & Plates Continue Fluctuating Trend

【SMM Steel】Jubilee Metals Group has resumed full capacity at its Roan concentrator in Ndola Zambia targeting monthly run-of-mine throughput of 30000 tonnes following scheduled annual maintenance. Upgrades include an expanded copper oxide flotation circuit designed to boost recovery efficiency by 5% offsetting higher transport costs. Jubilee also commissioned a new fine copper concentrate dewatering facility to manage a stream representing about 25% of Roan's feedstock copper with material transported to its Sable refinery in Kabwe. The company is also evaluating an additional DMS circuit to potentially expand throughput.

【SMM Steel】Turkish steelmaker Kardemir has achieved initial production on a new-generation KOCKS Reducing & Sizing Block line at its bar and coil rolling mill. The equipment integrated with process optimization and real-time monitoring met targeted tolerance and ovality values. The modernization enables high-speed production of high-value steel grades including SBQ bars 20-105 mm and thick coils 20-56 mm. The investment serves automotive railway machinery and construction industries aiming to expand high-value product capacity and strengthen Kardemir's export competitiveness.

【SMM Steel】SSAB is expanding its Oxelösund steel powder facility for additive manufacturing to commercial scale in partnership with SMS group. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026 with production ramping up gradually from Q1 2028 targeting annual capacity of 350 tonnes and creating 20 jobs at full operation. The project serves growing demand from defense automotive and engineering sectors enabling lighter components with less waste and shorter lead times. SSAB's specialized steel powders require no subsequent heat treatment and can replace aluminum as a lightweight material in certain engineering applications.