Italian hot-rolled coil (HRC) mills are gearing up for extended shutdowns during the December holiday season. Several mills plan to halt operations for up to three weeks, significantly reducing output to balance supply and demand. As a result, the availability of materials in Italy is expected to be limited.
Despite weak demand and restricted sales volumes, producers are aiming to increase HRC prices to €600 per tonne delivered. However, market participants remain skeptical about achieving this target under current conditions. The absence of import alternatives and the upcoming closures may drive customers to stockpile materials in the coming weeks.
