Italian coil prices are increasing as producers implement a hike of over €30/tonne ($33.8/t) in line with international raw material price increases, Kallanish learns from market sources.

Hot rolled coil transaction prices have reached €480/t base ex-works while the producers’ target is to reach €500/t base ex-works. The current transaction values for HRC are a decided improvement from the low point seen last month of €440/t base ex-works. Last week, some producers were asking €460/t base ex-works but this price is now too low, transactions show. The market is slowly working its way up to the desired level of €500/t base ex-works, Kallanish hears. Meanwhile HRC import prices have also increased and foreign material is now considered to be uncompetitive, sources say.

Cold rolled coil and hot dipped galvanized prices are also gaining momentum in line with HRC despite a weakness in demand for both products due to slowdowns in the automotive and other end-users’ sectors. Asking prices for CRC now start at €540/t base ex-works, while HDG is at €550-560/t, both of which represent slight improvement from the low points seen in January.