ArcelorMittal hikes coil prices yet again

Posted by Filame on

European market leader ArcelorMittal has once again hiked its hot-rolled, cold-rolled and hot-dip galvanised coil prices.

The producer is now targeting €1,100/t for Hot Rolled Coil and €1,250/t for Cold Rolled Coil and hot-dip galvanised coil with immediate effect. The lead time depends on region, with eastern European deliveries available more quickly, while buyers in northwest Europe are already facing October and November deliveries in some cases.

The increase is unsurprising, as the mill’s previous offer already looks cheap compared to the actual market — its last offer was €1,050/t, and Argus’ benchmark daily northwest EU HRC index was above this level at €1,055.25/t yesterday. Other mills had already started offering as high as €1,100/t prior to the latest announcement, and small sheet tonnages have reportedly transacted as high as €1,150/t on an ex-works coil equivalent basis.

The announcement has come earlier in the week than has typically been the case, given holidays in much of mainland Europe later this week. The €50/t move is higher than the recent incremental steps, particularly on HRC, which have been around €20-30/t.

High freight rates are enabling domestic producers to keep pushing prices higher, as they are making import options more expensive. Russian material was offered at €1,010/t fca Antwerp last week, but that level is likely to be higher again when the new quote is issued later this week.

Although the semiconductor-related automotive stoppages and slowdowns are a worry for producers, and the wider supply chain, sell-side sources suggest any reduction will lead to strong pent-up demand once the situation normalises.

Publication date: 12 May 2021
By Colin Richardson

Filame invests in a new wire EDM cutting machine, the Mitsubishi MV1200R

Posted by Filame on

As part of the expansion of the capabilities of its tooling departments, Filame is investing in a second wire EDM cutting machine by acquiring a Mitsubishi MV1200R. Filame is already fitted with a Mitsubishi MV2400R.

This investment supports the rapid development of the stamping capabilities on the automatic press and Bihler slide machine of Filame, which requires ever faster production of press or Bihler slide machine tools.

Indeed, all automatic press or manual tools or for Bihler slide machines used by Filame for its customers are designed, produced and maintained by its own Engineering and tooling department.

Filame’s know-how in this area is well established. It is the key to Filame’s quality and delivery performance for all parts manufactured on its large fleet of automatic presses, manual presses and bihler slide machines and certainly a strong differentiator from its competitors.

Haulick Roos 125T

Filame invests in a new Haulick Roos 125T automatic press

Posted by Filame on

As part of the expansion of its stamping production capacity, particularly for the automotive and construction sectors where Filame has extensive expertise and many major customers, Filame has acquired a high-speed, high-volume Haulick Roos 125T automatic press (4 columns and double connecting rod).

In addition to its speed, up to 18,000 strokes/hr, this press also has a 1150 x 840 table and a digital strip feeder, which allows Filame to make larger or more complex parts requiring a larger multi-step tool.

This press completes Filame’s large machine park in the automatic press sector, which includes presses of 10 T, 25 T, 32 T, 50 T, 63 T, 100 T, 120 T and 320 T.