SteelMint: India's domestic steel scrap index falls by INR 300/t tracking semis' correction

SteelMint's domestic steel scrap (end-cutting) index fell by INR 300/tonne (t) to INR 38,100/t DAP Mandi Gobindgarh.

Price correction in semi-finished steel (ingots/billets) and sponge iron prices prompted buyers to adjust their bids to maintain the conversion spreads.

However, a few trade participants, particularly steel manufacturers said that scrap arrival in the market continued to be weaker due to which steel furnaces are facing difficulties in the following ways -

• Costs for raw material (scrap) procurement is high.
  
  
• Conversion spread from melting scrap to ingot/billet narrowed due to lack of demand from re-rollers.
  
  

Furthermore, re-rollers particularly of patra product said that its demand usually remains constant throughout the year and buyers used to bid with premiums added. However, at present, low demand for pipe has removed premiums for patra, making it available at lower rates in the market.

Today, 14 sets of trades, indicative prices/bids/offers were recorded in the publishing window.

The Index also derives the HMS 80:20 scrap (Heavy, Med), and CR Sheet cutting prices traded in the region.

Scrap Grade and Spread Calculation: (Mandi Gobindgarh)

Prices in INR/t, DAP (Delivered at Plant)

To see SteelMint's Melting Scrap Assessment, pricing methodology and specification documents, Click here

What is SteelMint Indian scrap index - SteelMint's assessment of Mandi scrap reflects the prices of different melting HMS grade generated and traded in the domestic market. SteelMint gathers and verifies information from buyers and sellers active in the physical spot market. The data obtained by SteelMint, are normalized for yield, dimensions, density, location and other terms of trade to the specifications.

Why this index? India's National Steel Recycling policy mentioned that the efficient use of scrap for steel production becomes very crucial for India as 35-40% share has been envisaged from scrap-based steel production in the journey of 300 mn t pa by 2030. This shall increase the requirement of steel scrap sharply from the present level of around 30 mn t.

Methodology - Market data, including deals, bids, and offers that meet the delivery and quality criteria are considered for price assessments. The highest importance in the price calculation process is assigned to confirmed deals (T1) where either a buyer or seller has provided details of the transaction. Deals of only reputed and trustworthy producers and trading firms are included in the price collection and calculation process. Indicative prices, confirmed bids and offers are also considered valuable for the pricing process (T2). The index has been calculated using an average of T1 and T2 price inputs.

To provide feedback on this index or if you would like to contribute by becoming a data partner, please contact - info@steelmint.com.