Stainless Steel/MARKET CHALLENGES -- The stainless steel industry is faced with nickel price volatility, overcapacity and slow growth

摘要

DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION of stainless steel in North America has experienced slow growth and volatility this year, with overcapacity and shifting nickel prices causing concerns in the industry. Steel & Metals Market Research GmbH predicts global growth of 7 percent for 2011 in stainless steel consumption, a significant slowdown from last year, says Markus Moll, managing director of the Austria-based company. Growth in 2012 largely depends on the financial sector, says Moll. If banks finance projects, "then in 2012, the stainless market should grow again by somewhere between 5 percent and 10 percent," he says. "But if the financial sectors in particularly North America and Europe are in bad shape, then this growth could stall in 2012."