BIR Report

Asia—led by China—continues to steer increases in world stainless steel production, which reached an estimated 24.3 million metric tons in 2004, an increase of almost 7 percent from 2003.

Sandro Giuliani of Giuliani Metalli sas – Cronimet Group, Italy, and chairman of the Bureau of International Recycling’s (BIR) Stainless Steel and Specialty Alloys Committee, writes in the April edition of the "BIR World Mirror" that Chinese production of stainless steel is expected to be at least 16 percent for 2004, while European production increased by nearly 7 percent, despite restructuring.

Giuliani writes that in spite of fears that high nickel values would lead manufacturers to replace traditional alloys with those containing less nickel, production should not be affected in the short term.

Specialty alloys have also experienced higher prices brought on by demand pressures.

"The constant upward trend in molybdenum has been particularly impressive," Giuliani says.

"Titanium scrap prices have also climbed to extremely high levels, supported by the recovery within the aerospace industry and strong demand for ferrous," he adds.