Heavy plate prices in north-western Europe are still showing no clear trend in either direction, although some softening appears to be more likely, at least downstream to consumers.

Sources in Germany and Scandinavia agree in principle on the upper end for S235 of €600/tonne ($670/t) ex-works from integrated mills. The lower end, however, remains more obscure. As is the case with coil, a gentle erosion without any clear move or cause as Spring progresses is most likely, especially since stocks in Germany are heard to be notably high for plate.

“We are definitely below €600,” one German stockholder says without being more specific. However, he tells of cases that prices in some reported domestic deals have been lower than those seen in Italy, which Kallanish sees at €570/t.

But it’s mostly the outsell prices which are prone to pressure, as “… stockholders feel it first when inventories are too high, and some of our customers claim they are making deals for less than mills’ prices,” the stockholder adds. He notes that any softening in prices is witnessed mainly in thinner gauges of under 40-50mm, whereas “… we are mostly into thicker grades, where prices are hardly giving in at all.”