Japanese stainless steel manufacturer NSSC has decided to freeze prices for the 300 series thick plates and stainless steel cold-rolled steel for the month of October. In contrast, there have been some adjustments in the 400 series. The company has announced that it will freeze prices for the 300 series thick plates and cold-rolled steel for October, based on their alloy inventory methods. Concerns have been raised about the prices of the 300 series for November, possibly facing a decline due to falling nickel prices.
On the other hand, with a slight increase in the benchmark price of ferrochrome in the fourth quarter, chrome iron prices have been adjusted upward by 5,000 Japanese yen per ton. Approximately four months have passed since the last collection for the 400 series.
The domestic demand in the Japanese construction sector is currently affected by various factors, including soaring raw material prices, labor shortages leading to project delays, and extended adjustment times in semiconductor production. The company reports that, as automotive production is gradually recovering, some inventory adjustments are still ongoing. Additionally, they note an increase in imported goods, and they are intensifying their monitoring efforts in this regard. The cold-rolling mill operating rate is currently around 80% for the fourth quarter.
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