Steel – 2005/2006/Beyond Thomas A. Danjczek, President Steel Manufacturers Association May 5, 2006 The Hot Briquetted Iron Association Spring Meeting
Jan 31, 2016
Steel – 2005/2006/Beyond
Thomas A. Danjczek, PresidentSteel Manufacturers AssociationMay 5, 2006
The Hot Briquetted Iron AssociationSpring Meeting
Steel – 2005/2006/Beyond
I. SMA
II. 2005
- World Steel Production/Operating Rate; China; Prices; Consolidations
III. 2006
- China’s Challenges; Trade; Energy; Environment
IV. Key Issues Beyond 2006 (Wild Cards)
V. Conclusion
HBIA – Spring Meeting
HBIA – Spring Meeting
•The Steel Manufacturers Association (SMA)
–39 North American Companies:
33 U.S., 3 Canadian, and 3 Mexican
–111 Associate Members:
Suppliers of goods and services to the steel industry
•SMA member companies
–Operate 120 steel plants in North America
–Employ about 40,000 people
–Minimill Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) producers
–Produce nearly 100% of structural, wire rod, rebar, minimill plate and hot rolled, and a high percentage of SBQ products
–Also represent several integrated steel producers and rerollers
HBIA – Spring Meeting
•Production capability
–SMA represents over two-thirds of U.S. steel production (app. 70%)
•Recycling
–SMA members are the largest recyclers in the U.S.
–Last year, the U.S. recycled over 70 million tons of ferrous scrap
•Growth of SMA members
–Efficiency and quality due to low cost
–Flexible organizations
–EAF growth surpassed 56% in 2005, and anticipated to be 60% by 2010, if not before!
2005
WORLD CRUDE STEEL OPERATING RATE
75%
80%
85%
90%
Cap Util % 76.1% 77.2% 80.3% 84.2% 86.8% 85.3% 85.0% 84.1%
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
World Crude SteelOperating Rate %World Crude SteelOperating Rate %
Operating rates recovered from 76 percent in 2000, to a peak of 87 percent in 2004, and have moved moderately downward since late 2004.
Source: Metal Strategies
HBIA – Spring Meeting China’s Impact
After 4 Trips in a Year…
Key Questions:
- When will Chinese steel production significantly exceed its own domestic consumption – i.e. 50/60 MMT?
- Will the Chinese government shut down inefficient, excess capacity? (Has not done so with polluting facilities despite strong policy)
- How can North American Steel Industry compete against Chinese government - - - IT CAN’T!
HBIA – Spring Meeting
Chart 2: The Exploding Trade Deficit with China
HBIA – Spring Meeting
Chart 3: China’s Foreign Exchange Reserves
HBIA – Spring Meeting
HBIA – Spring MeetingSTEEL CAPACITY
CONCERNS
Steel Item Comment•North American steel industry CANNOT Currency, banks, land, environment,compete against Chinese steel companies consolidations, policiesfinanced and controlled by theirgovernment
• In 2005, compared to 2004, China steel Trend worsens in 2006 with newimports are projected to drop by 6.1 capacity on line, and China’smillion tons, while exports are projected slowdownto increase by 12.3 million tons
• North American steel industry loss of a Government de facto subsidiessignificant increment of its customer (industrial parks, infrastructure,base to relocation to Chinese factory space, loans)production sites
Steel Making Raw Material Prices
Prices of key steel making cost inputs have more than doubled in 2004 and 2005. The outlook for 2006 is for continuing cost pressures...
Steel Making Raw Material Prices Indices 1990 = 100%
0%
50%
100%
150%
200%
250%
300%
Ind
ex
19
90
= 1
00
CoalIron OreScrap - Chicago #1 BundlesSlabs - Brazil Export
AMM – 4/24/06
Source: Iron and Steel Statistics Bureau
Rebar Prices, 1990-2005(Midwest, $ per ton)
Source: Purchasing Magazine
June 2005 = $470
July 2005 = $450
Aug. 2005 = $435
Sept. 2005 = $485
Oct. 2005 = $494
Nov. 2005 = $486
Dec. 2005 = $481
Wide-Flange Beam Prices, 1990-2005(Midwest, 8 x 8, $ per ton)
Source: Purchasing Magazine
June 2005 = $516
July 2005 = $506
Aug. 2005 = $496
Sept. 2005 = $545
Oct. 2005 = $560
Nov. 2005 = $574
Dec. 2005 = $587
U.S. Oil and Natural Gas Prices
Natural Gas Cost Impact
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Aug-05
$ p
er t
on
Integrated Mills
Flat Rolled Mini-Mills
Long Product Mini-Mills
…sharp gains in natural gas prices have more than doubled steel mill gas costs per ton since 2000. Costs for integrated mills have risen over $30 per ton…
U.S. STEEL INDUSTRY CONSOLIDATION(Percent Change, 2000 compared to 2005)
-50%
-25%
0%
25%
50%
75%
No. ofCompanies
No. of Plants
Capacity Capacity /Company
No. Plants /Company
Flat Rolled Long, Other
Mittal Steel weighted average share of all markets served = ~33% (major product range-15-40%+)
-FRP acquisition price ($/ton, going-concern basis) 2002= $110……..2003-’04=$170……2005=$225
Source: Metal Strategies
2006
CHINA’S CHALLENGES Area Comment
•Environment Trade policy and laws are not enforced regardingemissions and effluents; Province versusBeijing; employment rules, not environment
•Consolidations State-owned facilities; only non-controlling foreignownership allowed; antiquated facilities; policy is20 large producers, push small producers out
•Technology/Quality Quality in flat rolled will affect export capabilities.Switch from long to flat not easy
•Inventories Run full out. Not always market-oriented
•Capital Will not always be free; could lose state credit
•Personnel Some “unrest” expressed toward elite class.Internet is politically uncontrollable
HBIA – Spring Meeting 2006 China
China’s Steel Trade Balance
Year 2004 2005 2006
Imports 33.1 27.0 22.0
Exports 20.2 32.5 36.0 (Semi’s) 6.2 9.0 5.0
Steel Trade Balance -12.9 +5.5 +14
2006 ChinaHBIA – Spring Meeting
China’s Steel Trade Balance
Year 2004 2005 2006
Imports 33.1 27.0 22.0
Exports 20.2 32.5 36.0 (Semi’s) 6.2 9.0 5.0
Steel Trade Balance -12.9 +5.5 +14
2006 ChinaHBIA – Spring Meeting
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) recently reviewed China’s compliance with its WTO commitments in the accession protocol. While progress has been made in certain areas, there are serious concerns and problems with effective compliance relating to:
1. Huge U.S. trade imbalance2. Continued currency manipulation3. Arbitrary VAT taxes and rebates4. Massive counterfeiting and piracy5. Discriminatory standards6. Inadequate regulatory transparency
COMPLIANCE WITH THE WTO
2006 ChinaHBIA – Spring Meeting
Chinese steel industry expansion continues in a region that is deficient in resources (supply
and quality) and environmental compliance…
2006 China
2006 PricesHBIA – Spring Meeting
• Section 421 Disappointment – No Relief
• Wire Rod Case – No Import Injury
• Solicit Congressional Assistance & Action
- Ryan/Hunter
- Graham/Schumer
- Other???
• Doha Agenda “only lose?”
2006 TradeHBIA – Spring Meeting
• No National Energy Policy
• For EAFs, Demand Response is “Perfect Peaker”
• Need for Nuclear
• After Metallic Exports, Number One Threat for Competitiveness
2006 EnergyHBIA – Spring Meeting
• Mercury “End of Pipeline” Regulation Risk (Area Source Rule vs. Negotiated Settlement)
• TOSCA – Not Recognizing Benefits of Recycling i.e. Automotive Scrap, Fluff, & Slag
• Trend Toward “Measure – Monitor – Control”, vs. “Under the Bar” Compliance
• Continued Risk With Lost Radioactive Sources, TRI Reporting, and GGG
2006 EnvironmentHBIA – Spring Meeting
• Metallics Exports Concerns
• Transportation Challenges
• Congressional “Gridlock”
• TEA 21 $$$ - Finally
• U.S. Government Financial Policies (Trade & Budget Deficit)
• Need for Border Adjustable Tax
2006 OtherHBIA – Spring Meeting
HBIA – Spring Meeting Key Issues Beyond 2006
(Wild Cards – Competitiveness)
Rough EAF Cost Model @ $400 Product
Item Impacts
-Metallics 55% -Ore Cartel, Scrap Exports, Global Demand
-Energy 15% -Lack of Generation, Transmission, Limited Nuclear, Offshore Gas, Off-Peak Future???
-Labor 10% -Health Care, USWA, Mittal Contract, Gerdau Ameristeel
-Transportation 10% -Congestion, Lack of Investment
-Other Inc. Financial 10%
100%
HBIA – Spring Meeting Other Key Issues Beyond 2006
Item Impact
-Capital Costs -Coke, Blast Furnaces, China@40%, New Facilities & Capacity
-Market -China, India, Brazil, Russia Automotive Situations
-Consolidations -Current Prices
-Environmental -Greenhouse Global Gases
-Role of Governments -U.S. Financial Situation, Role of Currencies, Trade Flows
HBIA – Spring Meeting
Conclusions
• Hell, it’s still a cyclical business, but enjoy today!
• Fundamental shift in both demand and supply due to China & its appetite for raw materials – China is still the “wild card”. Risk near term is auto’s; long term is China
• Consolidations and discipline have had an impact to reduce volatility
• Role of inventories affecting pricing and production
• Demand still healthy, construction solid
• Unknowns (Oil, interest rates, auto sector, energy, freight rates, federal spending, China, China, China)
• Significant changes ahead in trade, metallics, energy, and consolidation
• Still reasons for meaningful optimism