1. Taiwan’s CSC posts loss in Nov 2019
Taiwan’s CSC steel recorded a consolidated loss before tax of NT$293.83mn in November. The company had reported a consolidated profit before tax of NT$500.22mn in October. CSC’s carbon steel sales in November were 830,162mt, of which 69pc were in the domestic market. In the Jan-Nov period, the company’s sales were 9,406,762mt, with 68pc domestic sales. Consolidated operating revenue was NT$27,653mn ($916mn).
2. Brazil’s Hydro trims 50-70pc capacity on power outage
Brazilian company Hydro’s Paragominas bauxite mine has temporarily halted production after a transmission tower collapsed hampering power supply. The company has lowered its capacity to 50-70pc to prolong its bauxite inventories. The company’s power supply is likely to resume within five to ten days. Hydro’s alumina refinery has around 6mn mt annual production capacity.
3. JFE Steel develops ‘FM800’ nickel-free alloy steel powder
JFE Steel has developed FM800, a nickel-free alloyed steel powder which offers higher hardenability and compressibility to enhance product quality and decrease cost. FM800 is a steel powder that is pre-alloyed with 3pc copper and 1.3pc molybdenum, increasing its tensile strength in the pressure range of 800 MPa. The powder has cost advantage as it need not undergo carburization heat treatment and is nickel-free.