Citing an “extremely strong” market and high mill loadings, the UK arm of Finnish stainless group Outokumpu has announced two successive price increases for cold rolled sheet, cold rolled coil, continuously produced plate (CPP) and quarto plate (QP). The first increase is effective for all deliveries from 1 September, to be followed by a second increase from 1 October. Outokumpu gives rapidly lengthening mill lead times as the reason for the second increase. In September CRC and sheet will rise by 5%, and CPP and QP by 6%. In October CRC and sheet will go up by a further 6% while both categories of plate rise by 7%. Steel Business Briefing understands that material supplied from all ex-stock routes, including the group’s service centres, will be subject to October price levels with immediate effect.
