Argentina’s steel and automotive industries will restart operations in the coming days after activity was suspended for 50 days as a COVID-19 containment measure.
Within the steel industry, manufacturing metal products, as well as pots and pans, have been permitted to resume operations by the country’s Ministry of Productive Development, although it did not specify a date.
Among steel companies gearing up for activity are Essen Aluminio, Johnson Acero, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Mahle.
Steel output
Argentina’s steel production declined by 74.5pc to 107,100mt in April from the same month in 2019, according to the Argentine Chamber of Steel. Crude steel output reached 420,900mt last year.
Iron ore production dropped by 53.6pc in April to 148,00mt in comparison with the same month last year. In 2019, iron ore output reached 318,900mt, said the chamber.
Hot-rolled coil production fell by 72.8pc to 109,100mt last month from 401,400mt in April 2019.
Cold-rolled coil reached 36,700mt, decreasing by 63.7pc from 101,100mt in April of last year.