OMH H1 profit jumps to RM268.9 million

European market leader ArcelorMittal is idling blast furnace A at its Asturias plant in Spain in response to weak demand.

The producer will also stop a direct reduction plant in Hamburg, where it produces wire rod, from the fourth quarter.

Integrated steelmaker US Steel and its union membership appear to be at an impasse over contract negotiations.

The increases are underpinned primarily by higher production costs.

More European steelmakers are announcing increases following ArcelorMittal's announcement last week.

Part of what will lead to increasing prices will be rising costs both for raw materials and energy, according to Kestenbaum.

Swedish start-up H2 Green Steel has raised €190mn ($189mn) in a financing round, for its initiative to decarbonise steel production by around 95pc using renewable hydrogen.