BIR Report Stainless Steel, Special Alloys Market Outlook

Sandro Giuliani, with Giuliani Metalli sas, the Italy chairman of the Stainless Steel & Specialty Alloys Committee, reported in the most recent World Mirror that stainless steel production posted a strong 7 percent increase for last year, with total production reaching 24.3 million metric tons.

The strength in the market was directly attributed to the improving China and Asian markets

While overall markets were strong last year, there are a number of concerns on the horizon. In his analysis, Giuliani noted that a weakened U.S. dollar, the impact of the tsunami, and the attempt by the Chinese government to cool down their economy all could work to slow overall production of these metals.

BIR members can access the full report by going to the web site www.bir.org.

Nonferrous Markets Should Continue Good Strength

The most recent BIR World Report finds nonferrous markets in a strong position.

The Bureau of International Recycling’s monthly World Mirror, finds most commentators somewhat bullish on various grades of nonferrous metal.

Copper scrap appears to be in short supply, which should help drive markets for the grade. The activity in the grade should give copper scrap a boost through the first portion of the year.

While copper scrap appears to have a bullish outlook, according to many of these same commentators aluminum markets show a less clear market outlook.

Several factors are coming into play for the uncertainty of scrap aluminum.

According to Robert Stein, senior vice president of BIR’s Non-Ferrous Metals Division, “the dramatic drop in LME (London Metal Exchange) values at the start of the first week of January provided good hedging opportunities as scrap values dropped far more slowly.”

The full issue of the BIR World Mirror covers market updates for the following regions: Asia and the Pacific Rim, Middle East, India, the United States, South Africa, France, Germany, Italy, Nordic Countries, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Spain.

The report can be accessed by BIR members by going to the association’s web site at www.bir.org.