Prices for Italian plates remain stable compared to the beginning of February after further increases implemented by local manufacturers due to higher prices for imported plates related to CBAM, according to Callanish.
Market activity has subsided in recent days as buyers take a wait-and-see attitude.
The deadlines for completing orders at the factories are extended until mid-March and April, depending on the manufacturer.
Italian plants are currently quoted at about 750 euros/ton (884.10 US dollars/ton) for S235 rolled products with a surcharge of 30-35 euros/ton for S355 and about 10 euros/ton for S275.
Prices for the S235 and S275 brands usually have a similar price level.
The current transaction cost for the S275 material remains on average at 720 euros/ton on ex-factory terms and 740-750 euros/ton on pickup terms for the S355.
Sellers believe that the cost will continue to rise due to the high prices of CBAM slabs and the growing international value.
The manufacturer says it continues to purchase slabs from Asia, including China and South Korea, paying special attention to suppliers with lower carbon dioxide emissions.
For material obtained from producers with the lowest CO2 emissions, CBAM costs are estimated at about 40-50 euros/ton, while supplies from plants with higher emissions can cost at least 100 euros/ton.
The cost of slabs, excluding the cost of CBAM, in the ports of southern Europe averages $530/ton CFR.
Slab prices are expected to rise sharply in the second half of the year, when the revised safeguard mechanism takes effect and significantly reduces available quotas.
A separate source notes that out of the total European quota of 544,000 tons in the first quarter, 162,000 tons of imported rolled products passed through customs from January 1 to February 20.
Author: Natalia Kapra France
Kallanish.com
