Steel Market Retreats on Weak Demand
Steel prices edged lower across the board on September 14, reflecting muted downstream demand and cautious trading sentiment in the market, according to Mysteel's midday report.
Billet and Raw Materials Under Pressure
Tangshan steel billet direct shipments saw weak transaction volume throughout the morning, with warehouse spot prices hovering around 3,050 yuan/ton ex-works. Downstream finished product prices remained broadly stable yet firm, and traders adopted a wait-and-see stance. Prices are expected to dip another 10 yuan/ton in the afternoon session.
The iron ore market at Qingdao Port also retreated, with mainstream blended grades declining by 5 yuan per wet ton. PB fines at 60.8% iron content dropped to 675 yuan, while block ore at 61.6% fell to 870 yuan. Both traders and mills showed reduced enthusiasm for bidding and inquiry activities, suggesting softening sentiment ahead.
Scrap steel in Shanghai held steady, with plate material over 8mm quoted at 2,190–2,250 yuan/ton and heavy scrap landing at 2,000–2,060 yuan/ton.
Pig Iron Steady, Coke Market Flat
National pig iron prices for steelmaking remained unchanged, with key hubs including Linfen at 2,880 yuan/ton and Wuan at 2,680 yuan/ton holding firm. Meanwhile, coking coal spot transactions at major ports showed limited activity. Total port inventory at Rizhao and Qingdao stood at 117 vessels, a slight decrease from the prior working day, with prices for premium-grade semi-coke stable at 1,980 yuan/ton for wet-quenched and 2,230 yuan/ton for dry-quenched variants.
307 Enterprises Complete Ultra-Low Emission Disclosures
On a positive environmental note, the China Iron and Steel Association announced that as of September 11, a cumulative total of 307 steel enterprises have completed public disclosures on their ultra-low emission transformation and assessment monitoring progress. Five additional companies — including Yunnan Qujing Chenggang Iron and Steel Co., Xinjiang Daan Special Steel Co., and Inner Mongolia's Ulan Hot Steel — posted updates on the same day, bringing the national tally to 307, as reported by the association's official website.
This growing roster underscores the sector's accelerating shift toward cleaner production. Industry analysts note that meeting ultra-low emission standards is no longer optional for Chinese steelmakers; it has become a competitive necessity as environmental regulations tighten and ESG expectations from global buyers rise.
Outlook
Short-term steel prices face headwinds from subdued demand, yet the momentum behind green transformation continues to strengthen. The steel sector is walking a dual path — managing near-term price pressures while investing heavily in the environmental upgrades that will define its long-term viability.