The European flat rolled stainless steel market is slightly overheated at the moment, several market sources believe. This is leading to concern that the ongoing upward movement in base prices could come to an abrupt end, especially as extended mill lead-times are now approaching the quieter summer holiday period.
Although mills are only achieving modest base price increases of €30-50/tonne each month , transaction prices have been rising very fast as nickel continues to propel surcharges on austenitic grades ever higher.
