Blast furnace charging capacity in China exceeded 75%

Between 24 and 30 December, blast furnace utilization rates at 247 Chinese steel mills, according to a study by Mysteel, increased another 1.46 percentage points to 75.79% in the second week, as some steelmakers in eastern China resumed operations after interruptions in maintenance.

During the same study period, these 247 factories surveyed produced an average of 2.03 million tonnes of liquid pig iron per day, up 39,900 tonnes per day per week as well, and blast furnace productivity also changed from the previous three weeks of recession, an increase of 2.17. percentage points for the week to 70.04%.

The moderate growth is due to the fact that some blast furnaces in eastern China have resumed operations after scheduled maintenance, according to a Shanghai-based market analyst.

Accordingly, between December 24-30, daily consumption of imported iron ore at the 247 surveyed steel mills changed from the previous weekly decline, increasing by 53,200 t /d and averaging 2.53 million t /d.

By December 30, stocks of imported iron ore in all forms at 247 surveyed plants, including ore found in metallurgical plants, port warehouses and on the water, increased by another 1.71 million tons per week in the third week to 109.8 million tons.

The total tonnage will be sufficient for 43.42 days of consumption, or 0.24 fewer days per week, as many steel producers, especially those without any additional production restrictions, replenished a small number of products for the upcoming Chinese New year.