ArcelorMittal is expected to restart the temporarily idled blast furnace B at its site in Gent, Belgium, in early February, Kallanish learns from market sources. 

The furnace was idled in September 2020 for relining. Its temporary closure forced the group in early September to restart a number of furnaces idled in Europe in the spring of 2020 in response to the slump in demand linked with coronavirus. The restart of the 2.3 million tonnes/year furnace in Belgium will be good news for the market, as demand remains firm and availability of flat products in Europe tight.

ArcelorMittal's communication department did not issue a statement on the restart of the furnace, but sources in the market confirmed the timeline.