Summary of approved Steel Projects in China
(October 2004 - May 2005).

TianTie Metallurgy Group Steel Sheet Base Project Approved(2005/05/31)
TianTie’s sheet base project has been approved by national development and reform commission. Now the project is in preparation stage. TianJin tiantie metallurgy group is one of 520 important companies. The group has formed capacity of pig iron 3.5 million tons, billets 3.5 million tons and steel products 2.5 million tons through thirty-five years’ construction and development.

MaSteel’s HR H Shape Listed in China Brand Name Products Appraisement Catalog of 2005(2005/05/31)
MaSteel’s HR H shape product is listed in China brand name products appraisement catalog of 2005, and the product is also the first batch of steel products listed in the catalog. It’s known that this is MaSteel’s first product which is listed in nation brand name product catalog, so this means that MaSteel has made new breach in promoting brand name strategies.
　

WuSteel’s 1 million tons Medium Plate Project Approved by NDRC(2005/05/27)
On 23rd May WuSteel’s 1 million tons medium plate project was approved by national development and reform commission. The total investment is ￥3.5 billion Yuan and it’ll take 18 months to complete the project. The designed capacity is 1 million tons iron, 1 million tons steel and 1 million tons medium plate. After the commissioning of the project WuSteel’s steel and steel plate capacity will be 3 million tons and 2.6 million tons and sales revenue will be more than ten billion Yuan.

Taiyuansteel Boosts Production Ratio of 400 Series Stainless(2005/05/27)
During the first quarter of 2005, Taiyuansteel’s production of crude steel, finished steel, stainless crude and stainless steel all improved significantly in comparison with the same period of last year, especially for the production of chrome-based stainless.
The production ratio of chrome-based stainless reached 26.6%, up by 8.1% from the previous year; volume of chrome-based cold rolled sheet put in storage amounted to 16,400 tons, up 13.19%. In April, chrome-based production estimates at 33,000 tons, the output ratio exceeds 40% with volume put in storage standing at 7000 tons.
　

Nitrogen-Contained Stainless Process Technology in Taiyuansteel Achieved Great Breakthrough(2005/05/26)
Technology of Nitrogen-contained stainless steel production process developed by Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group has won the second-class awards for National Advancement of Science and Technology. This technology can improve the strength of stainless steel, enhance its corrosion-resisting and weldable property and lower manufacturing cost significantly. The technology has widely been applying for the fields such as irrigation works, petroleum, shipbuilding, rail transport and national defence.
　

Remove of Shougang to Save 50 Billion m3 Water Resources per Year for Beijing(2005/05/25)
The remove of Shougang to Tangshan city, Hebei Province will not only reduce 18,000 tons of emission pollutant per year, but also save on over 50 million m3 water resources for Beijing.
Beijing is a serious water-shortage super large metropolis with water resources less than 300 m3 per capita, equivalent to 1/8 versus the nationwide standard and 1/30 to worldwide.
The remove will not increase the burden of water consumption in Tangshan area as more than 7 million tons of low efficient capacity will be eliminated and a seawater desalt project will be introduced after the relocation completes, hence the remove project will save 100 million m3 water resources for Beijing and east of Hebei Province.

AnShan Steel New Rolling Realizing BOF Process with Negative Energy in Continuous Four Months(2005/05/25)
According to AnSteel new rolling No.1 steel-making plant, in the first four months the energy consumption during convertor working process is respectively 0.93, -3.62, -3.47 and –0.95 kg standard coal per one ton steel, therefore realizing BOF process with negative energy. This means that energy consumption index in convertor working process achieve high level in China.
　

BaoTou Steel and A’laShan Jointly Establishing First Phase of Million tons Bonus Steel Project（2005/05/24）
Now BaoTou steel group and A’LaShan have signed an agreement to jointly establish bonus steel project. According to the agreement BaoSteel will start to construct first phase of 1 million tons bonus bar steel production line in A’la Shan and the investment of the first phase is ￥3 billion Yuan. Finally, bonus steel capacity of 3 million tpy will be formed.

Jianlongsteel to Construct Large Shipbuilding Base（2005/05/24）
Four companies including Hebei’s Jianlongsteel concluded an agreement on May 18 to jointly establish a million-ton shipbuilding base by 2008 with total investment of RMB2.6 billion. The other three partners were China Shipbuilding Industry Group’s ShanHaiGuan Shipyard, Hebei Provincial Construction Investment Corporation and Hebei Ocean Shipping Company.
　

JiuQuan Iron & Steel Company’s Steel-making Facilities Put into Test Production in Oct. (2005/05/023)
GanSu JiuQuan Iron & Steel Company’s new steel-making project is expected to be put into test production in Oct. 2005 and total capacity is designed to be 600,000 tons. What’s more, JiuQuan steel company will add two rolling machine, which will be put into production by the end of 2006. Now the annual capacity of hot rolling in the company is 700,000-800,000 tons.

Handansteel to Launch its No.2 Color Coating Line This Month(2005/05/023)
Handan Iron and Steel is to launch its No.2 color coating line within this month following a cold commission on May 8. The 120,000 tpy line can process cold sheet with 0.25mm thickness and 900-1350mm wide mainly for construction and home appliance and its key technology, as No.1 color coating line that put on operation on last June is introduced from South Korea.
　

Sales Revenue in ChangZhi Steel Reaching ￥1.7 Billion Yuan in Jan.-Apr. (2005/05/19)
In Jan..-Apr. 2005 ChangZhi sales company has realized sales revenue ￥1.724 billion Yuan, profits ￥221 million Yuan. Meanwhile, the rate of output to sales is 92.08%. What’s more, distribution quantity of cements is 136,700 tons and sales revenue is 17.4945 million Yuan.
　

aotousteel Boosts Value-added Production（2005/05/17）
Baotou Iron and Steel Group will boost its higher end market shares centered on sheet, pipe, sections and wire products. It planed to achieve sales revenue of RMB26 billion in 2005. Its target set on April 7 included as follows:
1. to enhance sheet output to 2.67 million tons, of which 400,000 tons are cold rolled sheet.
2. to produce pipes of 810,000 tons.
3. to make a breakthrough in the production of heavy rail and sections.
4. to develop new products of 300,000 tons.

Jigang and Nanjing Auto Signed Strategic Cooperation Agreement（2005/05/17）
Jinan Iron and Steel signed strategic cooperation frame agreement with Nanjing Auto Group for the purchase of key facilities for power II project on April 26, suggesting a closer relationship between the two sides in the terms of wider fields. Besides the frame agreement, both sides also struck a deal concerning gas turbine technology.


BaoXin Stainless Steel Company’s two CR line Expected to Put into Production in July（2005/05/17）
Now NingBo BaoXin Stainless Steel Company’s two CR production line enter the stage of test run and it’s expected that the line would be put into production in Jul. By the end of 2005 BaoXin’s CR capacity will reach 60 tons.

MaSteel Holding Starting Celebration of “Eleventh-Five-Year” Project on 10th May（2005/05/13）On 10th May MaSteel “Eleventh-Five-Year” technology reconstruction project, the largest industrial construction project in AnHui provice, was started to build. MaSteel will try to build two 300 tons convertor, a 2250 mm HR continuous casting production line and other facilities in more than two years. After the completion of the project, capacity of MaSteel will reach 15 million tons and annual sales revenue will be ￥50 billion Yuan.

HeBei ZhongSteel’s 1250 Pushing-Pulling Type Acid Washing Line Started to Work(2005/05/16)
HeBei ZhongSteel Cooperation’s 1250 pushing-pulling type acid washing unit project was successfully put into production. It took nine months to build this project. The operation level , automatization level and product level of the acid washing line are high-level in domestic market and it’s expected that annual output will be 600,000 tons.
　

MaSteel Investing ￥30 billion Yuan in Constructing Coil Production Line(2005/05/11)
MaSteel will invest ￥30 billion Yuan to construct 5 million tons coil products production line before 2010 and it’s expected that the project will be operational by the end of 2007. Capital expenditure of MaSteel in 2004 and 2005 both are ￥8 billion Yuan, some of which will be used in the project.
　

Baosteel Produced the Thinnest Strip in China(2005/05/10)
Baosteel’s cold rolled mill recently produced cold rolled strip with only 0.08mm thickness and super strong strength, filling the void in this field for the first time. Many household companies such can producers have shown great interests on the products and reached tryout agreement.
　

AnSteel’s Economic Benefits Continuing to Rise Fast in 1st Quarter(2005/05/09)
In 1st Quarter AnSteel group ‘s production remains in fast rising. Output of steel and steel products is respectively 3.0387 million tons and 2.8095 million tons, up 11.41% and 10.14% compared with the same period of last year. Furthermore, AnSteel’s sales revenue and total profits in 1st quarter is 14.527 billion Yuan and 3.46 billion Yuan, respectively up 47.45% and 96.11%.
　

BaoSteel Stocked ’s Largest No.4 Blast Furnace Commissioned(2005/04/30)
The largest No.4 blast furnace in BaoSteel will be ignited to put into production. It’s expected that this year BaoSteel will increase crude steel output by 4 million tons. Meanwhile, the commissioning of CR sheet and wide plate mill will help BaoSteel stocked company strengthen the leading position in value-added steel product market.

MeiShan Steel Planning to Expand HR Sheet Capacity by 2008（2005/04/29）
MeiShan iron & steel company plans to expand HR sheet capacity to 5 million tons by 2008. An executive in the MeiShan steel point out that at the end of 2004 they submitted expansion application and now they are waiting for the approval of state development planning commission. The company will install a 2500 steres furnace and continuous casting production line to produce HR coil and sheet.

Baoshan steel mill launched（2005/04/29）
Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd's fourth 1,800mm cold-rolling mill officially started operations yesterday, but analysts say this will not impact the auto market in the next five months.
The cold-rolling mill has three production lines churning out sheets for car makers, electrical appliances and ships.
Yong Zhiqiang, the senior analyst at Haitong Securities Company, said: "The auto sheets production line will not reach smooth operation until the end of year 2005, thus it will not affect the current market price of auto sheets in the short term."
However, Yong added that once it is fully operational, China will be less dependent on imported quality auto sheets.
The production capacity of the auto sheets line in full operation will reach 1.9 million tons, but spokespersons for Baosteel Group, the parent company of Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd, did not reveal when they will realize full operation of the production line.
Currently, more than 40 per cent of auto sheets are imported.
Baosteel Group already plays a dominant role in the auto sheets market in China, with a 53 per cent share.
According to statistics from the Shanghai Steel Electronic Exchange, Baosteel Group produced more than 1.5 million tons of auto sheets last year.
Liu Jianyun, the senior researcher at the Shanghai Steel Electronic Exchange, thinks the new auto sheets line will produce 50,000 tons by the end of this year.
Li Haiping, the vice-president of Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd said: "Though the cold-rolling mill just started operating, there have already been orders from major Japanese auto manufacturers such as Nissan, Honda and Toyota for auto sheets."
The 1,800mm project is among one of four major plans officially inaugurated by Baoshan Iron and Steel yesterday.
The others are a heavy plate rolling mill, continuous casting mill and the No 4 Blast Furnace.
Industrial analysts believe these projects will substantially increase the company's overall standing.
Li Haiping noted that the company currently ranks No 7 in terms of production capacity, although it was recognized as No 3 by World Steel Dynamics, the world-leading steel information service company, last year in terms of overall performance.
Though shares of Baoshan Iron and Steel fell by 10 per cent yesterday, Chen Ying, the Chief Financial Officer of Baosteel Group said: "The additional fund raising of Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd is going very well, thus we will not set an ex-rights day."
　

Tanggang’s CR Line Takes the Lead in the World in Terms of Two Guidelines（2005/04/28）
Tangshan Steel’s cold rolled line has taken the lead in automatic control system for sheet shaping and thickness. The largest single-stand reversing mill in the country integrates global first-class metallurgic and automatic control technology with annual capacity of 600,000 tons. After several months’ commissioning, its processing time for strip reduced from 290 seconds designed to 145 seconds and the length of finished steel increased by 3 meters, hence boosting the production by nearly 1000 tons for one year.

Pangang’s Steel Pipe Returned North America Market（2005/04/28）
Panzhihua Iron and Steel’s Beihai Steel Pipe Co. recently received an order from Canada to produce 2000 tons of high quality standard OCTG casings, suggesting a re-emerge of Pangang’s pipes in North America market after an interval of nearly three years.
The order is scheduled to complete within this month.

AnSteel Producing Heavy Rails of 75 kg. Grade in Batch（2005/04/28）
AnSteel New Rolling Steel mill has delivered new-rolled heavy rails to ShuoHuang rail limited company and these rails are of 75 kg per meter. On 5th Mar. first rolling of such heavy rail in AnSteel was successful and in middle of Apr. AnSteel began producing in batch.

TaiShan Steel Planning to Implode Fifteen Kinds of High-quality Steel（2005/04/28）
In 2005 TaiShan Steel plans to implode fifteen kinds of high-quality steel such as Q195L、Q345、SPHC and so on to further develop southeast Asian markets. Bonus steel in TaiShan Steel have been widely applied in auto-making, home appliances and ship-building industries. What’s more, TaiShan steel has set up steady cooperation relations.

Mittal eyes stake in Kunming Iron(2005/04/27)
Top global steelmaker Mittal was in talks to buy a stake in initial public offering (IPO) candidate Kunming Iron & Steel Group, following its recent investment in another mid-sized Chinese steel firm, officials with both companies said.
Global steelmakers led by POSCO and Arcelor SA are looking to expand capacity or investment in China, the world's largest and fastest-growing market for steel.
“The talks are ongoing, although nothing has been finalized yet,” a Kunming Steel official, who did not want to be named, said.
A China-based Mittal executive, who declined to be identified, also said negotiations were taking place.
Kunming Steel's board secretary, who gave only his surname Wang, said last week he could not confirm the talks. Mittal spokesman Paul Weigh also would not comment on a possible Kunming tie-up.
Kunming Steel had planned a US$200 million IPO in Hong Kong in March but delayed its listing to consider an offer by a strategic investor, sources familiar with the listing said in February.
Mittal said in January it would pay US$314 million for a 37.17 percent share in Hunan Valin Steel Tube & Wire Co., the Shenzhen-listed arm of Valin Iron & Steel Group, China’s eighth-largest steelmaker.
“Our focus right now is on completing the Valin purchase. We have said before we are interested in using it as a platform for potential future investment in China,” Weigh said.
　

BaoTouSteel Confirming “There-Year Programming” on Optimizing Technologies and Equipments（2005/04/26）
In the next there years BaoTou steel group will develop on the bases of sustainable development, adjusting structure , energy-saving and integrate utilization of resources. In 2005 BaoTou steel company will fully utilize newly built 265 square meters sintering mill, NO.7 oxygen-making machine and No.7 coke furnace , meanwhile BaoTou steel will build new projects, like No.6 blast furnace, the second 265 square meters sintering mill and No.8 coke furnace in 2005.

February Profits of Steel Makers in Liaoning Up 50%（2005/04/26）
The key steel makers in Liaoning Province achieved profits of 2.474 billion Yuan in February 2005, up 50% from the same period of last year. Those enterprises obtained net sales of 22.067 billion Yuan, up 40%; paid tax payment of 3.648 billion Yuan, among which Angang alone accounted for 2.069 billion Yuan. During the first quarter, the key steel producers exported 1.3199 million tons of steel products, up 5 times from the same corresponding period of last year and earned $664 million for export value, up 5.62 times.

BaoSteel’s Auto Steel Enhanced Whole FuKang Car Domestically Produced(2005/04/25)
Now BaoSteel has constructed four branches organizations like BaoSteel HuaZhong trade company. BaoSteel has supplied 500,000 tons high-quality steels to HuBei provinces and neighbouring areas. In particular, BaoSteel has supplied auto steels to DongFeng ShenLong auto company and tried to enhance the rate of domestically produced of FuKang cars. In 2004 the rate was increased from 26% in 2003 to 30%. In this year it’s expected to realize the whole FuKang car domestically produced.

Baosteel Sold 1580 HR Coils to Baori Automobile Sheet(2005/04/25)
Baosteel’s 1580 hot rolled line achieves stable supply for Baori Autombile Sheet. During the first quarter of this year, the latter purchased 90,900 tons of hot rolled coils from Baosteel, accounting for 48.7% of its total demand.
　

ShaSteel’s 2500 stere Blast Furnace Project Completed and Put into Production（2005/04/22）
On 18th No.3 blast furnace with 2500 stere successfully produced iron and so far there modern blast furnaces in ShaSteel have been all completed. This marks that 6.5 million tons steel sheets project in ShaSteel has been in the stage of harvest. This year steel output in ShaSteel will be above 10 million tons.
　

Baotou Steel’s OCTG Exported to US for the First Time(2005/04/21)
According to a contract singed with US Energy Steel Pipe Co., Baotou Iron and Steel’s seamless pipe works started to produce OCTG with diameter of 244.5mm and wall thickness of 8.94mm on 1st April. As of 12 April, the works has completed the order of 1,633 tons of OCTG for the US market for the first time. Up to now, Baotou Steel has produced 16,416 tons of OCTG that mainly sold to large-scale oil fields in the country as well as overseas markets such as US, Thailand and Indonesia.

LianSteel Expected to Construct Sheet Production Base with Capacity of 6 million tons(2005/04/21)
In recent two years LianSteel has made rapid progress and production capacity has increased to 4 million tons. In 2004 Liansteel’s steel output is 3.43 million tons and achieve sales revenue ￥10.8 billion Yuan with profits of ￥900 million Yuan. What’s more, LianSteel plans to produce 4 million tons steel products in 2005. To enhance competitiveness LianSteel will construct a “1780” continuous HR production line and try to form 6 million tons steel integrated production scale.

AnSteel Becoming the First Steel Company to Be Able to Produce X80 in China(2005/04/20)
In the first half of Mar. X80 flats, produced by AnSteel have been delivered to building sites of projects “Gas in West Transported to East”. It’s known that X80 flats are the highest pipe steel and in China AnSteel is the only qualified steel company to produce the product.

Baosteel’s No. 3 Blast Furnace Hit Record High in Terms of Utilization Ratio(2005/04/20)
Baosteel’s No.3 blast furnace achieved average daily utilization ratio of 2.636 in March this year, breaking the records once again.

Baosteel Group sticks to overseas listing(2005/04/20)
Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp. still planned an initial public offering (IPO) for the group overseas, the head of China's largest steelmaker said.
"We have no plans to abandon our overseas IPO," said Baosteel chairwoman Xie Qihua.
Xie was speaking during the roadshow for the additional share offering of Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., the steel group's flagship.
Baoshan Iron is aiming to issue 5 billion additional yuan-denominated A shares. The offering is expected to be among the biggest fund-raising activities in the domestic capital market.
The company plans to use the proceeds from the offering, estimated to be around 25 billion yuan (US$3.02 billion), to buy “target” assets from its parent company, according to the prospectus.
Xie made the comment on the overseas IPO when asked whether Baoshan’s current share offering and asset purchase were part of the group’s plan for an overseas offering. She didn’t elaborate.
Baosteel aims to revamp itself to become a top global steelmaker and plans could include the group listing major assets overseas.
The launch of Baoshan’s additional share offering, however, has reignited market speculation about the group’s possible restructuring plans.
Baoshan was still interested in buying more steel assets in the future, said Xu Lejiang, a board member of the listed unit.
However, another Baoshan official said: "We have no further fund-raising plans at the moment."

Wuhan Steel’s Export Value Approached 200 Million Yuan through March in 2005(2005/04/19)
During the January to March, Wuhan Iron and Steel exported steel products of 354,000 tons and achieved sales of 196 million Yuan, 18% above the target figure.

Import and Export Trade in Shougang Achieving Great Gains(2005/04/18)
With the continuous efforts of staff in Shougang trade departments, in 1st quarter total of steel shipments reach 451,500 tons and only in Mar. the amount of steel export is 265,700 tons, setting up the record level.

Profit of Pangang Group Broke through 1 Billion Yuan in 2004(2005/04/18)
Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group Corporation achieved industrial gross value of 25.05 billion Yuan, sales revenue of 25.29 billion Yuan, profit of 1 billion Yuan in 2004. It produced pig iron of 5.199 million tons and crude steel of 5.982 million tons. Mr. Hong, chairman of the group said further efforts should be made in 2005, which include struggling for maximum benefit target, boosting overall, coordinate and sustainable development, enhancing group’s competition, focusing on key projects, pursuing institutional innovation, quickening the development paces for finance and trade and providing better services for members of the group.

Baosteel starts floating 25 bln yuan new shares(2005/04/18)
China's largest steel maker, Baoshan Iron and Steel Co. (Baosteel), announced that as of Friday it would implement its plan of raising approximately 25 billion yuan (about 3 billion US dollars) by issuing an additional five billion A-shares.
In a prospectus posted by the company, Baosteel said it would use the proceeds to buy assets from its state-run parent Shanghai Baosteel Group Corp. and affiliates worth 27.5 billion yuan (some 3.31 billion US dollars).
The assets include a Baosteel chemical plant worth 2.5 billion yuan, a 74 percent interest in Meigang worth 5.48 billion yuan, steel assets from the No. 1 Steel worth 9.29 billion yuan and Baosteel International worth 3.71 billion yuan.
The purchase will raise its steel capacity by 56 percent, making it the world's eighth biggest producer. It was previously the 17th biggest. The acquisitions will also increase its 2005 net profits by some 37 percent to 12.9 billion yuan.
Two billion of the additional shares will be issued to public investors, while the remaining three billion shares will be offered to its parent company.
Baosteel's application for increasing its share issues was approved by the China Securities Regulatory Commission in January. The shares issue will end by April 27.
　

LiaoYang Steel’s Million tons High-quality Strip Steel Project Started(2005/04/15)
Million tons high-quality strip steel project in LiaoYang iron & steel limited company, the key construction project in LiaoYang, has started to construct. After commissioning the annual iron and steel output will both reach 1 million tons and output of increased strip steel will be 1 million tons. It’s known that the project will be put into production in Oct. this year.
　

BaoSteel No.5 Steel Company Investing ￥280 million Yuan in Environmental Protection Projects in 2005（05/04/14）
BaoSteel group No.5 steel company will invest ￥280 million Yuan in completing seven kinds of environmental protection projects. This year No.5 steel company’s development aim is to construct ecotype bonus steel production base and they will finish seven kinds of environmental protection projects, like sewage disposal, clean energy and so on.

Kumba, Wuhan Steel ponder iron ore project（05/04/14）
Xinhua, April 13 -- Kumba Resources, the world's fourth-largest iron ore producer, and China's Wuhan Iron & Steel Co. were discussing a joint investment in an iron ore project, a Wuhan Steel executive said Tuesday.
"We have been talking with Kumba about an iron ore project either domestically or abroad," Fu Lianchun, deputy chief engineer of Wuhan Iron & Steel, told reporters on the sidelines of an iron and steel conference organized by Metal Bulletin.
"We could cooperate or invest together," the deputy engineer said, without elaborating.
South Africa's Kumba, controlled by mining giant Anglo American Plc, exported about 40 percent of the 20.9 million tons of iron ore it produced last year to China, with the rest headed mainly for Europe, its executives say.
Wuhan Steel, which lists shares in Shanghai, imported 60 to 70 percent of its iron ore at present, the executive said.
China overtook Japan as the world's top iron ore importer last year, buying 40.5 percent more ore for a steel sector that is already the world's largest but still expanding rapidly alongside construction-intensive economic growth of 9.5 percent last year.
Chinese steelmakers are now locked in iron ore negotiations with top global miner BHP Billiton Ltd./Plc.
They caved in February to a 71.5 percent hike in iron ore prices demanded by miners CVRD and Rio Tinto Ltd./Plc., but only after protesting publicly. The new prices took effect April 1.
　

Wuhan Steel Readjust its Interior Structure(2005/04/11)
Mr. Deng, General manager of Wuhan Iron and Steel Group Corporation said recently that the company will implement structure reform among its 25 sideline units such as real estate, fast food, service and travel firms managed by its fractory, transportation and development enterprises, indicating over 70,000 of non-steelworkers would be split off from the steel giant. The above sideline units will re-register this year and assume sole responsibility for its profits or losses by absorbing private investment and attracting shares from Wuhan Steel itself.

AnSteel Active in Bidding for Steel Used for Olympics Projects(2005/04/11)
Now China iron & steel association and BeiJing Olympics projects headquarters confirmed together seven domestic steel suppliers for BeiJing Olympics projects , including AnSteel group in LiaoNing province. As regards as AnSteel, to meet demand of Olympics projects they have organized technology and sales departments to form Olympics projects development group and meanwhile arrange concerned departments to track trends on steel consumption of Olympics projects.
　

Plate Ratio in HanSteel Reaching 74.3% in 1st Quar.（2005/04/08）
Since beginning of this year, HanSteel has aimed for building bonus sheet strips production base in China and focused on high value-added sheet strips. In first quarter HanSteel produced sheet strips 1.224 million tons, and ratio of sheet strip has increased from 68.2% in end of last year to 74.3%. What’s more, HanSteel continued to enlarge deep-production capacity of sheets. In 1st Quar. Total output of pickling sheet, galvalized sheet and colour-coated sheet is above 100,000 tons, and 1.3 million tons CR sheet pickling production line has on trial production.

Pudong Steel Started Transplant Project（2005/04/08）
Pudong Steel has fully started its transplant program as its Luojin production base project broke ground. Taking advantage of the transplant program, the mill will try to optimize its products mix and enhance output of high value added products. The rebuilt mill will become a major part of “refinement base of steel and iron” for Baosteel and is expected to launch in 2007.
　

Taiyuan Iron and Steel Held Ceremony for Construction of Stainless Project（2005/04/07）
Taiyuan Iron and Steel held ceremony on March 30 for construction of a stainless project with annual capacity of 1.5 million tons. Leaders from the company and representatives from engineering enterprises and plant makers such as Voestalpine and DANIELI attended the ceremony. The project is expected to start hot commissioning on May 15 2006, allowing Taiyuansteel to form a production scale of 2 million tons per year for stainless.
　

Q1 Saw Excellent Results in Wuhan Iron and Steel(2005/04/06)
Wuhan Iron and Steel had planned to produce pig iron of 860,000 tons in March 2005, crude steel of 865,000 tons and finished steel of 841,000 tons. However, the actual production data mentioned above rose by 3.5%, 1.5% and 5.1% respectively. It achieved sales revenue of 4.253 billion yuan and profits of 700 million yuan. During the first quarter this year, the mill achieved revenue of 11.1 billion yuan and profits of 2.02 billion yuan.

MaSteel’s Sales Revenue Reaching ￥8 billion Yuan in 1st Quarter.(2005/04/06)
In 1St Quarter of 2005 output of iron, steel and CR products is respectively 1.884 million tons, 2.184 million tons and 2.072 million tons, up 12.5%, 17.2% and 16.5% compared with the same period of last year. What’s more, MaSteel increase proportion of value-added products, meanwhile improve sales average price per ton to offset large cost rise. In the first quarter MaSteel has achieved sales revenue ￥8 billion Yuan.
　

Baosteel Hot Commissioning No.1 Galvanized Line(2005/04/05)
Baosteel hot commissioned its No.1 galvanized line on 30 March, a part of Baosteel’s 1800 cold rolled project. The advanced galvanized line mainly produces high quality cold rolled sheet for auto to meet demand from auto industry home and abroad. The contractor of the project was 20MCC.

ChongSteel’s Wide Medium and Heavy Plate Capacity Expected to Reach 3 million tons(2005/04/05)
It’s learnt that ChongSteel stocked company will invest 1.4 billion Yuan to reconstruct wide medium plate production line and medium plate mill. After the upgrade, wide medium plate and heavy plate will used in ship-building and bridge-building and the capacity will increase to 3 million tpy.
　

Panzhihuasteel Raised Production Target（2005/04/01）
According to a source from Panzhihuasteel on March 18, the company has further raised the ratio of production target to be achieved in order to boost its economy benefits. It seeks to establish an output scale of 25,000 tons per month for IF steel, and realize an average proportion of more than 95% in terms of production target for various items and over 90% for sheets used in auto beam, pipeline, weather-proofed and welded bottle materials.
　

HanSteel’s 1.3 million tons CR production Line Commissioned（2005/03/31）
On 26th Mar. 2005 HanSteel’s 1.3 million tons CR sheet production line was officially put into production. And by the end of 2005 all CR production lines will be completely commissioned. After the completion of all CR projects HanSteel will produce 1.3 million tons CR sheet with thickness of 0.25-2 mm and width of 900-1650 mm per year. These CR sheet will supply to industries, like construction, home appliance , auto and so on.

Net Profits of Wuhansteel Up 462.76%（2005/03/31）
Wuhan Iron and Steel Group achieved sales revenue in main business of 24.148 billion yuan in 2004, up 254.76% from the previous year; net profits of 3.204 billion yuan, up 462.76%.
The company produced finished steel of 5.61 million tons last year. Of that total, hot rolled sheet/coil were 2.52 million tons, cold rolled and galvanized sheet were 1.3 million tons, cold rolled silicon sheet was 450,000 tons, medium heavy plate was 410,000 tons, high speed wire rod was 420,000 tons, heavy section was 310,000 tons and bar rod was 200,000 tons.
　

Baotousteel’s X60 Pipeline Steel Obtained Qualified Certificate(2005/03/30)
High quality X60 pipeline steel produced by Baotou Iron and Steel Group obtained qualified certificate from Tube Quality Supervision and Inspection Center of China Petroleum Industry. The products are mainly used in oil and natural gas transmission projects with features of high strength, anti-corruption and complexity in manufacturing process.

Baosteel Explores Color Coating Market in Northeast China(2005/03/30)
Based on the chances of renewed economic development in the Northeast region of the country, Shanghai Baosteel has signed a long-term cooperation agreement with local key engineering academies to carve out color coating sheet market in the region. In Shenyang area alone, sales of color coating product stood at 4200 tons last year and are expected to reach 15,000 tons this year.

BaoSteel Wide Plate Rolling Mill Commissioned(2005/03/30)
On 21st Mar. BaoSteel stocked company’s wide plate rolling mill project is officially finished and now is put into production. And this rolling mill, which is the first super-wide and mordern wide plate rolling mill in China , will produce good-quality , high-strength , super wide and thick products, such as high-strength ship plate and so on.

ZengPeiYan: BeiJing and HeBei Province Expected to Cooperate to Insure Shouganag’s Move(2005/03/30)
ZengPeiYan, vice prime minister of state department, stressed that Beijing city and HeBei province should actively cooperate to insure ShouSteel’s remove. What’s more, he brought forward special requests to ShouSteel’s move that is reducing steel-making capacity in Beijing in stages. By the end of 2007 steel capacity should decrease 4 million tons and by the end of 2010 all all steel-making capacity will shut.
　

No.5 Blast Furnace in Shougang Group Expected to Shut in First Half Year of 2005(2005/03/28)
Yesterday BeiJing environmental protection bureau on its official web announced that By the end of Jun. 2005 ShouSteel must shut No.5 blast furnace and by the end of this year shut No.2 coke furnace.
　

Shougang CR Sheet Production Line Approved By State Environmental Protection Administration(2005/03/25)

Now , State Environmental Protection Administration has approved ShouSteel’s CR sheet production line, which mainly produce CR coils, HR galvanized coils and colour coated products. The capacity of the production line is 1.5 million tons, and in first stage capacity of CR coil and HR galvanized coils is respectively 700,000 tpy and 800,000 tpy. What’s more, in second stage the company will install new colour coated unit, processing 350,000 tons HR galvanized coils into colour coated products. 

Baosteel Blew in No.4 Blast Furnace(2005/03/25)

Baosteel blew in its No.4 blasts furnace on March 21 with interior capacity of 4350m3 and annual output of 3.5 million tons for pig iron, breaking the shortest period of construction project for super large furnace over 4000m3. The construction project took two years and 20 days for completion, 72 days ahead of schedule. The entirely homemade furnace has a life span of 18 years.

No.1 Plant of Baosteel Hit Record High of Daily Output in March（2005/03/24）
No.1 plant of Baosteel produced stainless crude steel of 2290 tons per day since March, achieving a significant breakthrough in the history. The plant produced steel of up to 2600 tons per day during the month through improvement of melting technology and personnel skills.

PanSteel Being Appraised “China Steel Top Ten Influence Brands”（2005/03/24）
Recently results of China steel top ten influence brand and China top ten steel brand-establishment companies was announced in BeiJing. In the two public appraisements  PanSteel is both listed in top ten. Six products is appraised China steel top ten influence brands, such as heavy rail, vanadium titanium, HR auto heavy beam, CR home appliance plate and seamless steel pipe. 

Meishansteel to Boost HR Capacity by 2008（2005/03/24）
Meishan Iron and Steel works plans to boost its hot rolled sheet capacity to 5 million tons per year through installing a 2500m3 furnace and continuous rolling mill. The company has three blast furnaces with annual crude output of 3 million tons. It is still waiting for an approval for the expansion program from the National Development and Reform Commission.

WuSteel Stocked Company Rolled Plate Mill’s New Multi-storey Construction Steel Popular in Markets(2005/03/23)
Ending on 15TH Mar. WuSteel stocked company rolled plate mill has supplied more than 2000 tons bridge building steel to YangLuo ChangJiang bridge. What’s more, the mill also supply construction steels to a series of large projects, like national library, national palestra and TsingHua university office building and so on. These contracted steel supplies amount to 200,000 tons.

Steel prices, acquisition to lift Angang profit(2005/03/23)
Angang New Steel, which lists shares in Hong Kong and Shenzhen, said Friday it expected a 10 percent rise in steel prices and a recent acquisition from its parent to propel its earnings growth this year.
Liu Jie, Angang New Steel’s chairman, said he expected China’s demand for steel to remain strong throughout the year, supported by robust economic growth.
He also said he expected demand for Angang’s steel products would continue to outstrip supply and profit margins should widen.
The firm plans to increase production this year by about three percent to 5.7 million tons of steel products, from 5.55 million tons last year.
The acquisition of an upstream steel producer from its parent, Anshan Iron & Steel Group, will also boost the Liaoning-based firm’s earnings growth this year.
The firm will pay its parent about 18 billion yuan (US$2.17 billion) to acquire the entire interest in Angang New Steel & Iron.
It will finance the acquisition through the transfer to its parent of non-tradable domestic shares, and a rights issue.
Angang said earlier the acquisition would boost its earnings more than five times this year, making it the country’s biggest listed steelmaker.
However, soaring raw material prices and domestic competition could cap the pace of Angang’s organic growth this year.
These factors were having a “huge impact” on steel companies’ costs, Liu said.
“A 71.5 percent iron ore price rise will translate into about 200 yuan extra cost per ton on our products but a 10 percent (steel) price rise equals to 400 yuan per ton,” said Fu Jihui, a director of Angang.
China’s steelmakers including Angang have agreed to a 71.5 percent iron ore price hike for 2005 imposed by international miners, effective from next month, triggering market concerns about their profit margins.
Though the price of Angang’s steel products rose 22 percent last year, its profit margins narrowed by an average of 2 percentage points.
The strong steel prices contributed to a 25 percent increase in the company’s 2004 net profit and 60 percent rise in revenue.
Net profit for Angang rose to 1.80 billion yuan for the year ended Dec. 31, compared with 1.43 billion yuan in the previous year. Revenue rose to 23.18 billion yuan, from 14.48 billion yuan.

Liangang Started Construction of New Sintering Project（2005/03/22）
Liangang held a ceremony for construction of a 280 square meters’ sintering project on March 16, one of the most important projects of technology upgrade in the mill. ZhongYe Changtian International Engineering (CIE) and CTMCC have assumed the construction work.

BaoSteel’s High Strength Outer Plate Used in Peugeot 307 Saloon Cars(2005/03/21)
According to WuHan ShenLong auto company, High strength outer plate, supplied by BaoSteel stocked company, will be used in Shenlong Peugeot 307 saloon cars. And this marks that BaoSteel stocked company’s HR galvanized high strength plate possesses capacity of batch supplies.

Angang to Install a Third CR Line(2005/03/21)
Angang New Steel, which is operating two advanced cold rolled lines, will install a third CR mill. The project, which has obtained approval by National Development and Reform Commission and general meeting of shareholders, includes pickling and cold rolling units, continuous annealing line, finishing train and auxiliary apparatus, with annual capacity of 2 million tons is to produce cold rolled products with thick 0.3-2mm and width 1000-1980mm for auto, home appliance and construction markets.
For a reference, the existing capacity of the two lines in the company amounted to 3 million tons per year.

BaoSteel Stocked Company Planning to Produce Steel 13.5 million tons in 2005（2005/03/16）
In 2005 BaoSteel stocked company plans to produce iron 12.7 million tons and steel 13.5 million tons, meanwhile the company intends to sell commercial billets 13.23 million tons. What’s more, revenues budget of main operations is ￥71.5 billion and cost budget of main operations is ￥53 billion Yuan。In 2004 revenue of main operations in the company is 58.638 billion Yuan, up 31.89% compared with the same period of last year. Profits and net profits are respectively 13.586 billion Yuan and 9.395 billion Yuan, up 36.83% and 34.68%.

Annual Steel Output in ShanDong Province Breaking through 20 million tons for the First Time(2005/03/15)
According to ShanDong metallurgy industry company, in 2004 steel products output broke through 20 million tons and reached 20.015 million tons，up 39.5% compared with last year。What’s more，it’s expected that in 2005 some steel production lines will start production, including HR sheet and CR sheet in JiSteel and Heavy H shape steel in LaiSteel.

QingDao Posco Steel Products Processing Base Put into Production(2005/03/14)
On 9th Mar. QingDao Posco steel products deep processing base, which is the largest steel deep processing project in China, was formally finished and now is on operation. With the total investment of $280 million dollars, The venture project is constructed by Korea Posco group and QingDao Iron & Steel group. The newly built plant mainly produces stainless steel, with capacity of 350,000 tpy.

Angang’s X80 Pipe Supplied for Gas Pipeline Project(2005/03/14)
Angang’s X80 pipe that used to produce straight seam welded pipes has been approved by PetroChina and CISA to apply in the natural gas pipeline from the west to Shanghai. X80 grade is said to be the material used for producing highest grade of steel pipes in China, and X70 hot rolled sheet and plate from the company have already been applied to several national key pipeline projects. The success will allow the substitute of imports with Angang’s products and provide chances for China to participate in the international market competition.

A 20 Million tpy Giant Debut after Merge between Anshansteel and Benxisteel（2005/03/11）
Chairman of Anshan New Steel confirmed the information that Anshan Iron and Steel Group would merge with Benxi Iron and Steel Group to form a steel giant with annual capacity of over 20 million tons.
There are only 100 kilometers in distance between the two companies and rich iron ore reserve has been detected in Anshan area, accounting for one fourth of the total reserve in the country. The combination of both companies will not only create scale benefit but also be facilitated to mapping out consolidated development program and materials purchase and realizing resources optimization.

XinYu Steel & Iron Planning to Increase Annual Output to 1 million tons in Next Five Years（2005/03/11）
JiangXi XinYu steel & iron company has set down development programming for next 3-5 years. During the following 3-5 years, the company will achieve annual output to 1 million tons and annual sales revenue to 4 billion Yuan through the first and second stage of technology reconstruction. In 2004 annual steel output in XinSteel is 360,000 tons and sales revenue is 1.686 billion Yuan.

NanSteel Plate Mill’s Monthly Output Reaching 100,000 tons for First Time(2005/03/10)
In Feb. NanSteel medium and heavy plate mill produced qualified billets 105,095 tons, including steel products 80,192 tons( accounting for 76.3% among total output). Meanwhile, daily output is 3753.415 tons. The monthly output has reached above 100,000 tons for the first time.

Shougang may suspend production during 2008 Olympics(2005/03/10)
Leader of a Beijing-based steel giant said Tuesday that his company may slow down or suspend production during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to curb pollution.
"We'll take substantial measures, including production slowdown and suspension, to reduce pollution as we are able to move all the polluting plants by the time the Olympics opens," said Zhu Jimin, president of Beijing Shougang Group, one of the largest steel and iron maker in China.
The central government has recently approved a plan for BeijingShougang Group, China's leading iron and steel maker, to relocate all its polluting plants to neighboring Hebei province by 2010.
Zhu, also a deputy to the National People's Congress, told the delegation of lawmakers from Beijing that his steel company has a major role to play in cleaning and purifying Beijing's atmosphericair. "We'll seek technological advancement this year to further stem pollution in the desulfurization process."
Founded in 1919, Shougang has widely been cited as the flagshipof China's industry. But in the past decade, its name has become tarnished and more closely associated with air pollution.
According to sources from the Beijing Environmental Protection Monitor Center, air quality of the national capital has improved in recent years. In 2004, 62.5 percent of the days were ranked "fine" or "fairly good" with pollution reading below 100. But in Shijingshan district in western Beijing, where Shougang is located,it was only 50.4 percent.
Environmental experts fear Beijing's air quality will not meet the standard the government promised in its effort to host the 2008 Olympics unless Shougang is moved out of the city.
According to the company's relocation plan, Shougang will reduce annual output of Beijing factories to 4 million tons by 2007. Steel production will come to a half in the capital by 2010,while the headquarters, research and development section, sales department and logistical center will remain in Beijing.
"We've spent 1.8 billion yuan (217 million US dollars) on environmental protection since 1995," said Shougang's Vice-President Wang Qinghai. "The spending will average at least 200 million yuan (about 24 million US dollars) for each of the coming five years."

Anshansteel to Supply 100,000 Tons of Steel to Home Appliances in 2005(2005/03/09)
Anshan Iron and Steel Group puts forward three targets in 2005, namely to identify 10 key home appliances manufactures, to develop 10 main steel sheets for home appliances and to supply 100,000 tons of steel. The group has sold 20,000 tons of sheets to Haier for the first two months this year. In addition, the group’s household customers of home appliances also include CHIGO, Gree, Xinfei and MIDEA.

BenSteel Set 2005 Production Schedule(2005/03/09)
BenSteel has confirmed 2005 year work task. The output targets of main products are as follows: output of iron and steel will both increase 2 million tons to 7.5 million tons and 7.52 million tons, respectively, and output of HR sheet will be up 1.3 million tons to 5.55 million tons. What’s more, capacity of CR sheet will be 1.08 million tons, including galvanized sheets 430,000 tons and colour-coated sheets 120,000 tons. Meanwhile, capacity of specialty steel and coke will be 580,000 tons and 3.24 million tons.

AnSteel’s CR Products Entering Home Appliance Industry（2005/03/08）
On 26th Feb. 4700 tons Bonus CR sheets and galvanized sheets, made by AnSteel, were delivered to leading home appliance company Hai’er group. In Jan. and Feb. 2005 AnSteel have supplied 20,000 tons steel sheets to Hai’er group and this marks that AnSteel CR products have entirely entered home appliance industry.

PanSteel Keeping Stable Production Since Beginning of 2005(2005/03/07)
Since beginning of 2005, Output of main products in PanSteel remain stable rising. Up to 20th Feb. iron output in PanSteel reached 769,800 tons and converter steel output reached 842,500 tons; Meanwhile, output of HR and CR coils is respectively 330,300 tons and 163,000 tons. Their production remains firm, with high yield

Shanghai No.1 Steel Plant Maps Out Five Targets for its Stainless Project in 2005(2005/03/07)
Shanghai No.1 steel plant maps out five targets for its expansion of stainless steel projects in 2005.
1. to quicken the construction pace to ensure a hot commission of expansion project by August this year;
2. to examine newly-built operation system to ensure completion of existing projects by October;
3. to win national high quality award;
4. to push the progress of cold rolled project to make sure starting construction during the third quarter;
5. to sum up experiences and establish self-contained construction system for future construction projects.

First Phase of a 5m-Width Plate Project in Baosteel Entering Final Stage(2005/03/04)
The first phase of Baosteel’s 5m-width plate project is expected to start operation during the first quarter of 2005. The project, which is divided into two phases, can produce finished plate with width up to 4.8m and thick of 5-300mm. The first phase of the project has an annual capacity of 1.4 million tons per year and installs a refined rolling mill. The second phase will install a blooming mill and hot treating line, with output of 1.8 million tpy.

BaotouSteel CR Sheet Project Getting Alone Well(2005/03/04)
CR sheet project in BaoTou steel company is getting alone well. Acid washing and continuous rolling line in first stage will enter complete test and it’s expected to roll the first CR coil in March. Cover furnace and skin pass mill project in second stage are implementing facilities installation; And in third stage basic facilities of galvanizing line have finished completely.

CR Sheet Project in Shougang Approved by NDRC(2005/03/03)
National Development and Reform Commission approved a 1.5 million tpy project in Shougang to produce high valued steels such as cold rolled, galvanized and color coating sheet on February 18. China imported 18 million tons of cold rolled products out of total steel imports of 37 million tons in 2003. There are only eight CR projects being constructed in the areas such as Shanghai and Baotou with annual capacity of 1.5-1.7 million tons. The total output will merely amount to 13.5 million tons per year adding to Shougang’s project. So the outlook for the market is quite bright.

YongSteel Daily Output of Billets Renewing Highest Record（2005/03/02）
On 22nd Feb. YongSteel steel-making plant’s steel output on this day breached 5000 tons for the first time. In 2004 daily steel output in the plant is 3800 tons and in Jan. 2005 daily average steel output is 4200 tons. Since the last ten days in Feb. daily average output reaches more than 4800 tons. This means that production capacity has boosted greatly.

Handansteel Developed High Intensity Galvanized Sheet（2005/03/02）
Handan Iron and Steel produced 500 tons of 1.55*1250mm galvanized sheets with high intensity and the products are being shipped to Indonesia and Malaysia.
The procedure used SS400 ordinary carbon structural steel instead of increasing Mn content, a technology that can reduce distortion resistance in the course of hot rolled processing and the outage of rollers while allow the mill easy to treat thinner gauge materials and improve surface quality of products.

Giant steel plant approved to leave Beijing（2005/03/02）
The central government has approved Beijing Shougang Group, China's leading steel maker, to move all its polluting plants to neighboring Hebei province by 2010, sources from the company confirmed Monday.
Sources said the National Development and Reform commission officially ratified Shougang's plan on Feb. 18.
According to the plan, Shougang has cut steel output in the past few years and will further reduce annual output of Beijing factories to four million tons by 2007. Steel production will completely end in the capital by 2010, while the headquarters, research and development section, sales department and logistical center will stay in Beijing.
Founded in 1919, Shougang is widely considered the flagship of China's industry. But, in the past decade, its name has become more closely associated with air pollution.
According to sources from the Beijing Environmental Protection Monitor Center, air quality of the Chinese capital has steadily improved in recent years. In 2004, 62.5 percent of days were ranked "fine" or "better."
But experts have said if Shougang is not moved out of the city,Beijing's air quality will not meet the standard the government promised in its bid to host the summer 2008 Olympic games.
"The move is not a duplication in a another city and Shougang will not transfer pollution to Hebei province," said Zhu Jimin, Shougang's board chairman.
Shougang will also upgrade equipment, innovate technologies andreduce the environmental impact in the new base, said the sources.The new steel plant will operate in an environmental-friendly way with new equipment and techniques to improve efficiency and cut waste, Zhu said.
The new base covering about 20 square kilometers will be located in Caofeidian, an island 80 km south of Tangshan, a sceniccoastal city in Hebei.
The current Shougang base is located in Beijing's western suburbs, which has long been blamed as the capital's worst polluter with chimneys belching out thick clouds of smoke.

WuSteel Planning to Export 1 million tons Steel Products（2005/03/01）
According to principals in WuSteel, With steel products prices climbing in international market in next half year in 2004, in the whole year of 2004 quantity of steel export in WuSteel is more than 670,000 tons. And it’s planned that in 2005 WuSteel’s export steel would reach 1 million tons.

BlueScope takes bigger slice（2005/03/01）
Top Australia steel maker BlueScope Steel has made moves to ensure it takes a bigger stake China's growing building and construction markets.
It signed a contract with the Huangpu District of Guangzhou yesterday to inject US$35 million into a new manufacturing plant, covering an area of 120,000 square metres, in the booming capital city of Guangdong Province.
The new project will increase the accumulative investment of BlueScope in China to around US$400 million, according to the company.
The new facility, due to be operational in mid-2006, will produce BlueScope Steel's downstream products that incorporate a Butler manufacturing facility for pre-engineered steel buildings, which is contrary to the traditional concrete structure buildings, and complements an existing Lysaght roll-forming plant.
"South China is one of our most important markets and the completion of the new facility will help us provide better services to the customers here whilst cutting transportation costs," Moufid Alossi, president of BlueScope Butler China, told China Daily.
Last year, BlueScope bought US company Butler Manufacturing Co, a world leader in non-residential pre-engineered steel buildings, in an effort to diversify and strengthen its downstream products.
"The merger with BlueScope accelerates the development of Butler in China," Alossi said, noting that the construction of the new facility in Guangzhou is ahead of schedule.
Currently, Butler has two manufacturing plants in East China's Shanghai and North China's Tianjin, of 125,000 and 100,000 square metres in size. Together, they have a total production capability of about 4 million square metres of Butler branded building materials each year.
"Unlike developed countries, China's construction market is still in its prime, and we expect the industry to flourish in the next 20 to 25 years," said Alossi.
Since it entered the Chinese market in 1992, Butler has completed more than 1,015 projects, or one every five days on average, with a combined area of more than 13 million square metres in 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities around the country.
From 1997, when its first plant came online in Shanghai, Butler's revenue has grown by 40 per cent each year, said Alossi.
And the prices of Butler products have decreased by 38-40 per cent when compared with those of items exported from the United State in the previous few years, he added.
More local companies using their products and services further cements the brand's leading position in China's multi-storey pre-engineered steel building market.
About 80 per cent of Butler's current clients are Chinese home-grown companies, compared with the firm's totally foreign-funded client list in its first few years in China, said Ding Fubao, manufacturing vice-president of BlueScope Butler.
Steel structure expert He Baokang said the industry has a rosy future given that China has become the world's largest steel producer.
"The country produced a total of 240 million tons steel last year, but only 3 per cent of that was used in steel structure buildings," He said. In developed countries, this figure often climbs higher than 10 per cent.
According to the country's long-term plan, the construction of steel structure buildings is encouraged because they are less polluting. "Steel structure buildings will account for 6 per cent of total steel consumption by 2010," he said.

LingSteel Focusing on Developing Structural Steel and Engine Manufacturing Steel(2005/02/28)
On 24th Jan. LingYuan steel & iron group held workers delegate meeting and during this meeting LingSteel has confirmed main production goal of 2005. In 2005 LingSteel will transfer current product structure, which mainly consists of general steels. Meanwhile, the company will improve products variety and open up export market. In particular, LingSteel will focus on developing structural steel and engine manufacturing steel.

Technology Center of Wuhansteel Developed a Series of New Products in 2004(2005/02/28)
Technology center of Wuhan Iron and Steel Group developed a series of new products during the past year that included super finer crystalline carbon steel for auto beam, high intensity steel for ocean platform, X80 pipeline steel as materials to produce X80 coils with 15.3mm and 17.5 mm thick, weatherproof steel for vehicles and series cold rolled steels with high yield intensity such as GQ280 and GQ320.
The company aims at advancing processes of development on new products in 2005.

Mills face higher ore prices（2005/02/25）
Chinese steel mills would accept a hike of 71.5 percent in iron ore prices after Tuesday’s benchmark deal between Brazil’s CVRD and Japan’s Nippon Steel Corp., shipping and trade sources said Wednesday.
Chinese trade sources said an agreement had been reached with Brazil’s mining and metals group Cia Vale do Rio Doce (CVRD) that Chinese mills would accept a price increase in line with the first major Asian deal.
Baosteel was still in negotiations with suppliers, an official from China’s top steel producer Baoshan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. said Wednesday.
An official with second-largest producer Anshan New Steel Co. Ltd. denied that Angang had reached a deal on iron ore prices.
There will be further negotiations between individual Chinese steel mills and Australian miners, including BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto Ltd. over freight charges, the shipping sources said.
With China's 2004 iron ore imports totaling 208 million tons, up 40.5 percent from the previous year, the country is now the world’s top importer of the raw material.
“After Japan reached a deal with the suppliers, Chinese mills will follow suit,” said a trade source.
Yet market sources on the mainland and Hong Kong said the agreement with CVRD meant Chinese steel mills would pay about US$80 a ton for iron ore from Brazil, including freight. They paid about US$20-21 a ton in 2004 on a free-on-board basis.
BHP and Rio Tinto were asking for charges of up to US$10 a ton in addition to a 71.5 percent increase in free-on-board prices due to Australia’s closer shipping distance and better ore quality, they said.
While freight would cost US$40 a ton or more from Brazil to China, it is only about US$20 a ton from Australia, they said. Unless Chinese mills agree to the surcharges, Australian mines are prepared to reduce shipments to China this year.

HanSteel Planning to Invest ￥19.3 billion Yuan on Factory Removing and Reconstructing（2005/02/24）
HanDan steel group plans to invest 19.3 billion Yuan to remove and reconstruct current factory area. Now the company has reported the programming to national development and reform commission, waiting for approval. Following the structural upgrade this time, HanSteel will form such production scale as annual output of pig iron, steel and steel products will be 7.7 million tons, 8 million tons and 7.44 million tons.

TongSteel Group’s Profits Achieving ￥11.42 million Yuan During First Ten days in Feb. (2005/02/23)
During Chinese new year holidays TongSteel group has maintained effective and stable production. And in first ten days of Feb. when upstream products prices rise fast and steel prices fall in weak winter market, profits in TongSteel has achieved ￥11.42 million Yuan, increasing 1.42 million Yuan than planned.

Handansteel Purchased Iron Ores of 9.39 Million Tons in 2004(2005/02/22)
Handan Iron and Steel Group Co. purchased 9.39 million tons of iron ores in 2004, among which 6.23 million tons were imported from overseas market.
In order to lower the cost of raw materials and minimize the market risks, the mill has established strategic alliances with large and medium-sized supplies home and abroad.

Steelworks explosion kills six in Shanxi（2005/02/17）
A steelworks explosion in north China's Shanxi Province on Wednesday killed six people and injurednine others, local police said Thursday.
The accident occured at around 6 p.m. in a steel factory located in Yicheng County's Nanguanzhuang Village when molten ironleaked from the hearth of a steel-making stove. One worker is missing.
An investigation into the cause is underway.

TongSteel's Newly Constructed Blast Furnace Put into Production（2005/02/08）
At present, TongHua steel & iron company's No.6 blast furnace is put into production. This is the first large volume blast furnace in TongSteel, which covers new technology and new facilities. What's more, with the total investment of ￥243 million Yuan the construction of the blast furnace means that TongSteel has stepped into large steel company with the large and mordern facilities.

Handansteel Exported Finished Steel of 140,000 tons in 2004（2005/02/07）
Handan Iron and Steel Group Corporation exported steel products of 140,000 tons in 2004 with export value of $65.5 million. Of the total, the mill itself exported 69,000 tons with export value of $34 million and Wugang exported 71,000 tons with export value of $31.5 million tons.

ShiJiaZhuang Iron&Steel Company Realizing Profits 720 million Yuan（2005/02/07）
In 2004 ShiJiaZhuang iron & steel company achieved sales revunue ￥6.55 billion Yuan， up 64.1% compared with last year. What's more, ShiSteel has realized profits 720 million Yuan up 23.2%, including tax profits 440 million Yuan up 46.8%, both recording the highest level.

ChongQing Steel Group Investing 1.5 billion Yuan in Technology Upgrade in 2005(2005/02/06)
In 2004 ChongQing iron & steel group was the first state-owned company whose annual sales revenue reached above ￥10 billion Yuan. Last year, ChongSteel’s steel output is 2,640,300 tons, up 28.18% compared with the same period of last year. Meanwhile, the output of iron is 2,428,100 tons, up 22.71%. And it has realized profit tax ￥1.45 billion Yuan, including profits 797 million Yuan. Yesterday, TangWeiMin , the board chairman of ChongSteel, indicated that in 2005 the company would invest ￥1.5 billion Yuan in technology innovation and upgrade.

Maanshansteel Achieved Production Target of the First Month in 2005(2005/02/05)
Maanshan Iron and Steel Group’s hot rolled sheet plant produced 81,300 tons of qualified sheets and 150,600 tons of coils in January 2005, achieving its planned target.
The plant manufactured 7734 tons of coils on January 19, refurbishing the record high since its start-up of operation and achieved average daily output of more than 5800 tons from 19-31 January.

Baosteel Struggles to Produce 9.3 Million Tons of HRB in 2005(2005/02/04)
Baosteel plans to produce 9.3 million tons of hot rolled products and to further improve the quality of its products in 2005.
The company aims at achieving the above target through technology upgrade, quality improvement, advancing competition, reducing cost, creation of good image of HR brand, and combination of united management and professional function management.

12 Steel Companies’ Annual Steel Output Reaching 5 million tons in China(2005/02/04)
According to China iron & steel association, in 2004 the number of steel companies whose annual steel output reaching above 5 million tons is twelve, compared with eight companies in 2003. The newly increasing steel companies include Valin steel company, JiSteel, LaiSteel and BaoSteel. In 2004 the followings are steel companies’ annual output: BaoSteel 21.99 million tons, AnSteel 10.83 million tons, WuSteel 8.61 million tons, ShouSteel 8.19 million tons, MaSteel 7.48 million tons, TangSteel 7.09 million tons, ShaSteel 7.02 million tons, ValinSteel 6.87 million tons, HanSteel 6.53 million tons, LaiSteel 6.17 million tons, JiSteel 5.56 million tons and BaoSteel 5.29 million tons.

Jianlongsteel Regroups with Metallurgical Enterprise in Jilin Province（2005/02/03）
Jilin Province State-owned Metallurgy Corporation has signed a frame agreement with Beijing Jianlong Iron and Steel Ltd Co. to form a new company, in which both companies hold 50% share each.
Government of Jilin Province established the independent metallurgy company in January 2000 with total capital of 10.7 billion yuan. The company operates large scale Jilin Ferroalloy, Jilin Carbon and Jilin Nickel, all of them are listed state-owned companies.
Jianlongsteel is a non-governmental large-scale steel maker with total assets of 11.5 billion yuan. The company operates more that ten subsidiaries and ranks 269 among China’s top 500 enterprises.

LianYuan Steel Company Intending to Commission High-Profit Steel Sheet Production Line（2005/02/03）
It’s proposed that LianYuan iron & steel company should commission another steel sheet production line to establish bonus steel sheet base in the whole country. During the period of tenth five-year LianYuan Iron & Steel company has successfully constructed 2 million tons super-thick strip steel project and complementary facilities with the total investment of ￥8 billion Yuan.

Northeast Special Steel Group Export Value Setting up Record Level in 2004（2005/02/02）
Sine establishment of Northeast Special Steel Group it has performing well; In 2004 the amount of steel export is more than 80,000 tons and export value is up 118% compared with the planned value, rising 242% compared with last year.

Anshansteel Sold Thinner Gauge Galvanized Sheet to Haier Group（2005/02/02）
Angang New Steel has successfully mass-produced cold rolled galvanized sheet with 0.3mm thick for the first time, becoming one of few companies in the household industry that are able to produce the super-thin gauge grade material. The products have been sold to Haier Group as the material to produce refrigerator.
　

Jiangsu Shagang to Produce Steel of 10 Million Tons in 2005（2005/02/01）
Jiangsu Shagang plans to produce steel of 10 million tons in 2005 and achieve sales revenue of 35 billion yuan. The company plans to sell hot rolled coil/sheet of 1.1 million tons, deformed bar of 3.6 million tons, high speed wire rod of 2.7 million tons, round bar of 100000 million tons and to export slab of 500000 tons.

Special Medium Plate Proportion Breaching 60% in JigangSteel in 2004（2005/02/01）
In 2004 output of special medium plates in JiSteel positions the first in China; And what’s more delightful is that medium plate proportion breaches 60% reaching 63%, raising 22% compared with that of the previous year. That means that JigangSteel has realized that fundamental products structure shift to more varieties, high technology contents and value added products structure.

PanSteel Establishing Production Goals and Measures for 2005（2005/01/31）
In 8th---10th PanSteel held directorate conference, discussing PanSteel’s 2005 production work. The goals for 2005 in PanSteel are:
Mail operation revenue and profits will respectively achieve ￥27 billion Yuan and 1.2 billion Yuan.
Output of main products will be iron 5.65 million tons, steel 6.3 million tons, steel products 5.75 million tons, vanadium products 15000 tons and titanium whiting 64000 tons.
Reformation will be materially improved.
Make sure key projects completed on time , boost core competitiveness and capacity of sustaining development.

Baosteel Sets the Eleventh Five-Year-Period Plan（2005/01/31）
Shanghai Baosteel announced that the investment during the tenth Five-Year-Period plan has completed 7 billion yuan and its eleventh five-year-period projects have initially arranged.
The company hot commissioned its continuous caster for wide slab with annual capacity of 2.3 million tons. A wide plate mill, which can produce plate with thick up to 300 mm, width up to 2300 mm is expected to launch this February.
Baosteel sold auto sheet of 1.48 million tons last year, up 14.8% from a year ago, accounting 45.6% of household market share for cold rolled sheet; sold steels for home appliance of 1.3958 million tons.

Pangzhihuasteel Achieved Outstanding Performance in 2004（2005/01/28）
Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group Corporation in Sichuan Province produced pig iron of 5.1991 million tons in 2004, crude steel of 5.982 million tons and finished steel of 5.4264 million tons, all the above indexes were hit the record high. Moreover, the company completed 3.23 billion yuan investment on various project, in which its III phase project accounted for 1.67 billion yuan.

GuangXi LiuSteel Trying to Achieve Capacity 6 million tons in 2005（2005/01/28）
According to economy development community of GuangXi, this year GuangXi will concentrate on implements of LiuSteel’s technological renovation. Meanwhile, LiuSteel will struggle to achieve integrate steel capacity 6 million tons, turning into a super-large steel company.

PanSteel 4300 tons Rails Exporting to Brazil for the first time（2005/01/27）
On 14th Jan. an official in PanSteel group international economy and trade limited company said :” 2000 tons rails have been delivered to ZhanJiang, GuangZhou, waiting for shipments. And the rest 2000 tons rails are under active production.” This is the first time for PanSteel to export rails to Brazil, with the total amount of 4300 tons.

Shougang’s Special Plant to Produce Steel of 630,000 tons in 2005（2005/01/27）
Shougang’s special plant set to produce steel of 630,000 tons in 2005, a rise of 240,000 tons from last year, and achieve sales revenue of 2.393 billion yuan, up 1.234 billion yuan and profit of 10.11 million yuan, up 4.46 million yuan. The plant mainly produces cold rolled products.
　

QingDao Steel Group Company Hitting Historical Record(2005/01/26)
In 2004 QingDao Steel Group Company hit historical record, with the sharp increase in output and profits. Last year, output of sinter iron ore, pig iron, steel and steel products in QingSteel is 2.23 million tons, 2.17 million tons, 2.25 million tons and 2.16 million tons, respectively up 19.03%, 9.03%, 11.27% and 12.04% compared with the same period of last year. On the other hand, sales revenue, profits, tax and total amount of capital is ￥19 billion Yuan, 550 million Yuan, 580 million Yuan and 11.8 billion Yuan, up 49.78%, 9.35%, 10.99% and 41.13%.

Taiyuan Steel seeks to be world's largest stainless steel plant(2005/01/26)
Taiyuan Steel (Group) Corporation in north China's Shanxi Province is striving to become one of the world's largest stainless steel producer in 2006, a company sourcesaid Thursday. 
"The company is investing 16.5 billion yuan (1.98 billion US dollars) in expanding stainless steel production capacity, which will reach 3 million tons in 2006," said general manager Li Xiaobo. 
Since August 2000, Taiyuan Steel has invested 4.9 billion yuan (590 million US dollars) in introducing the most advanced technology and equipment in stainless steel production from abroad, Li said. 
In 2004 the company realized a revenue increase of 8.3 billion yuan (one billion US dollars), with its steel output reaching 4.63 million tons. 
Founded in 1934, Taiyuan Steel has become one of China's principal steel companies and China's largest stainless steel producer. 

Wuhansteel Entered China’s Top 500 of Informatization Enterprises Again(2005/01/26)
Wuhan Iron and Steel Group Corporation was awarded China’s Top 500 of Informatization Enterprises in 2004 on China’s Top 500 of Informatization Enterprises Conference held in Beijing. Wuhansteel ranked 20th among the top 500 enterprises that were selected from several ten thousands household large and medium enterprises.

Baosteel and Taiyuan take a 20 percent stake in Jinchuan(2005/01/25)
Leading Chinese steelmakers, Shanghai Baosteel Group (Baosteel) and Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group Co (Tisco) have moved to secure nickel supplies by each taking a 10 percent stake in the country’s largest nickel producer, Jinchuan Group.
The state government of Gansu transferred 20 percent of its shares to Baosteel and Tisco – about 10 percent to each company - following an agreement signed by the parties on January 19, according to a January 22 statement from Jinchuan Group. The share transfer is valued at around 980 million yuan ($118 million).
While the Jinchuan official declined to state how much nickel it currently supplies to the companies, citing confidentiality reasons, he noted that both companies are already major customers of Jinchuan. He declined to comment further.
Jinchuan, based in the northwestern Gansu province, has a long-standing working relationship with Tisco and counts the stainless maker as its largest customer. It noted that in terms of asset structure and development strategy, Jinchuan and Baosteel had complimentary strengths.

Sales Revenue of Anshansteel Exceeded 46 Billion yuan in 2004(2005/01/25)
China’s Anshan Iron and Steel Group Corporation produced pig iron of 11.5 million tons, steel of 11.3 million tons and finished steel of 10.6 million tons in 2004 and achieved sales revenue of 46 billion yuan with profit over 10 billion yuan. Meanwhile, the company exported steel products of 1.567 million tons, up 172% with export value of $663 million, up 3.48 times from last year.
The state-owned steel producer also intents to boost its production scale to 20 million tons per year by 2010.

AnyangSteel 2005 t Investment Program Confirmed(2005/01/25)
According to bulletin in AnyangSteel, in 2005 production management program is that steel , pig iron and steel products output will respectively reach 4.5 million tons, 2.9 million tons and 4 million tons; meanwhile, sales revenue will be ￥13 billion Yuan。On the other hand, AnSteel plans to invest in fifteen projects with the total investment amount ￥3.701 billion Yuan. 

By 2006 Stainless Steel Capacity Achieving 3 million tons in TaiSteel(2005/01/21)
TaiYuan steel group, the largest stainless steel company in China, is in the process of constructing 1.5 million tons stainless steel project with the investment of ￥16.5 billion Yuan。By 2006 TaiSteel will possess stainless steel production capacity 3 million tons, therefore becoming the largest stainless steel company. 

Baosteel and Taiyuansteel Jointly Purchase 20% Share of Jinchuan Group(2005/01/21)
The local government in Gansu Province transferred part of state-owned share of Jinchuan Group-the world’s fifth largest nickel producer to Shanghai Baosteel and Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group for 980 million yuan on January 19 2005. The deal allows the two companies to hold 10% share each of also the country’s largest nickel and cobalt production base and refining center for platinum. 
As a reference, the group achieved sales revenue of 15 billion yuan in 2004.
Baosteel is China’s largest and most advanced steel complex, with steel output exceeding 20 million tons in 2004 while Taiyuansteel is the largest domestic stainless steel company and mainly produce plat products.

Steel Output in TangSteel Breaching 7 Million tons(2005/01/20)
TangSteel has adjusted products structure, therefore the capacity to reply market changes has been greatly enhanced. In 2004 TangSteel has achieved profits ￥2.015 billion Yuan, up 65% compared with the same period of last year; And the output of iron ,steel and steel products is 6.9596 million, 7.6586 million tons and 7.0917 million tons, respectively up 27.55%, 25.93% and 28.03%. In particularly, steel output has breached 7 million tons for the first time. 

Anyangsteel Plans to Produce Steel of 4.5 Million Tons in 2005(2005/01/20)
Anyang Iron and Steel Group plans to invest 3.701 billion yuan to complete 15 projects in 2005. It also intents to produce steel of 4.5 million tons, pig iron of 2.9 million tons, finished steel of 4 million tons and obtain sales revenue of 13 billion yuan.

Shougang Supplied 60,000 tons of Deformed Bars for The National Grand Theater(2005/01/19)
As of the end of December 2004, Shougang has supplied 60,000 tons of hot rolled deformed bars for construction project of the National Grand Theater in Beijing, which is a key project of the country and a symbolic building of the city. A project manger has appreciated Shougang in a letter for its high quality products and good services.

BaoSteel No. 1 Steel Plant Achieving Stainless Steel Output Goal 200,000 tons in 2004(2005/01/19)
Up to 28th Dec. 2004 BaoSteel No.1 steel plant has produced stainless steel 200,000 tons in 2004, and completed annual production goal designed by BaoSteel group ahead of there days. At present, steel production cost per ton in No.1 steel plant has steeply reduced than before , therefore market competitiveness has been greatly strengthened and rate of production and sales achieves 100%.

Baosteel to increase in world ranking(2005/01/19)
China' largest steel maker, Shanghai Baogang Group Company (Baosteel), said it expects to increase its rank among the world's top 500 this year, with 2004 sales revenue forecast at 165.1 billion yuan (19.94 billion US dollars). 
The figure far exceeds its 120.4 billion yuan sales revenue in 2003 which made Baosteel rank the 372nd among the world top 500 for the first time, said Baosteel's President and General Manager Xie Qihua. 
Xie said Baosteel aimed to go higher among the top 500 and eventually become one of the world top three steel giants. 
The steel giant stands out among domestic firms in the latest rating report of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services with a credit rating of BBB+, for its successful reforms in management and production, as well as the massive potential for further expansion. 
Baosteel annexed two smaller state-owned, money-losing steel companies in 1998, which decreased its rating. But the annexed companies performed well, with decreased debt, improvement in capital structure and cash flow, strong production capacity and optimized product structure. 
The company produced 21.41 million tons of steel in 2004, the first steel company in China realizing an annual output of more than 20 million tons. 
According to Baosteel's blueprint for the year 2006 to 2010, the company plans to increase its annual steel output to 30 million tons by 2010. 
One or two new large-scale steel factories will be built at home and abroad in the coming years, so as to further expand Baosteel's production capacity to realize the goal, said Xie. 
Baosteel is China's largest iron and steel conglomerate. It now ranks sixth in the world with an annual steel output of 20 million tons. 

Steel Output in HanSteel Reaching 6.8 million tons in 2004 Up 12%(2005/01/18)
According to info in HanSteel group, in 2004 steel output in HanSteel group is 6.801 million tons, increasing 0.744 million tons or up 12.28% compared with last year and setting the new record; and steel products output is 6.631 million tons, up 13.03%, including sheet products 4.452 million tons. 

Baosteel Hopeful to Enter World’s Top 500 for Two Years in a Row(2005/01/17)
Shanghai Baosteel is hopeful to step into the World’s top 500 again in 2004 following the glory achieved in 2003.
According to the latest statistics, Baosteel produced steel of 21.41 million tons in 2004, achieved consolidated sales revenue of 165.1 billion yuan and obtained consolidated profit of 21.75 billion yuan,
As a reference, the company entered the World’s top 500 in 2003, with sales revenue of 120.4 billion yuan, and becoming the first group of household competitive enterprises and manufactures to enter the top circles. Baosteel aims to produce 30 million tons of steel by 2010.

WuSteel Export Value Setting Up Record Level(2005/01/17)
In 2004 Export delivery quantity in WuSteel is 678,800 tons and the export value is $328 million, setting up the record level. 

Consolidation of Wuhansteel and Echengsteel Entered Concrete Stage(2005/01/14)
The consolidation of Wuhan Iron and Steel Group and Echeng Iron and Steel Group from last mid November has stepped into a concrete stage. The former is a state-owned company with annual capacity of 10 million tons for iron and steel while the latter is an independent local government-owned company with annual capacity of 3 million tons. As of the end of May in 2004, Echengsteel had a net asset of 2.658 billion yuan. 
State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council has already approved the consolidation.

Steel Output in JiuSteel Reaching 3.7 million tons in 2004(2005/01/14)
In 2004 output of iron, steel and steel products in JiuSteel in 2004 is respectively 3.48 million tons, 3.7 million tons and 3.68 million tons, up 27%, 30% and 46% compared with the same period of last year. And Sales revenue in 2004 is ￥13 billion Yuan，up 60%.

Shougang Group reports 1.25b yuan in profits(2005/01/14)
Shougang Group Corporation, one ofChina's leading steel products maker, announced Thursday that it has earn a record 1.25 billion yuan (about 150 million US dollars)after taxes last year, up 21.6 percent on a year-on-year basis. 
The corporation did 61.9 billion yuan (7.46 billion US dollars)in sales in the past year, a rise of 39.9 percent from that of 2003. 
A corporate executive ascribed the company's achievement to itssubstantial efforts in producing more high-tech steel products, adjusting production capacity mix, revamping the administration and laying off surplus workforce. 
In 2004 alone, Shougang Group Corp., with the headquarters in western Beijing, used 1.3 billion yuan (157 million US dollars) onscientific and technological upgrading programs. High-tech rolled steel with high added value made up 55.7 percent of the corporation's total output in 2004 or showed a rise of 42.2 percent from the previous year. 

AnyangSteel Group Confirming Management Planning Goals in 2005(2005/01/12)
Recently AnSteel group confirmed management planning goals in 2005, and the main goals as follows:
Output of main products: steel: 5.9 million tons, pig iron: 4.95 million tons and steel products: 4.05 million tons 
Products sales: sales revenue: ￥17 billion Yuan , production and sale rate: 100%
Economy benefit: tax profit: ￥1.7 billion Yuan, profits: 500 million Yuan

Xijiang’s Bayisteel Produced 2.21 Million Tons of Steel in 2004(2005/01/12)
Xijiang’s Bayi Iron and Steel Group Ltd. produced crude steel of 2.21 million tons in 2004. Meanwhile, it sold finished steel of 2.18 million tons and achieved sales revenue of 7.94 billion yuan. In 2005, the company is making every effort to produce steel of 3 million tons and will achieve sales revenue of 10 billion yuan and gross profits of 450 million yuan.

Baosteel to Achieve Target as Schedule in the First Half of 2005(2005/01/11)
Baosteel will achieve its production target as schedule in the first half of 2005. The company produced crude steel of 21.38 million tons in 2004, becoming the China’s No.1 producer whose annual production top 20 million tons and sales revenue is expected to surpass 160 billion yuan. Baosteel also aims to enter world’s top three by 2010 in terms of steel as its core business.

Valin Iron and Steel Group Entering China’s Top Eight among the Industry(2005/01/10)
Valin Iron and Steel Group in Hunan Province produced crude steel of 7.13 million tons in 2004, up by 37.6% from a year ago with pig iron production increased by 24.2 million tons. It achieved sales revenue of 26.2 billion yuan, up 67.9% and obtained profits of 2.3 billion yuan, up 150%, entering the country’s top eight among the industry. 

XuanSteel Steel-making Plant Annual Output Setting Up Record in 2004(2005/01/10)
After 29th Nov. 2004 XuanSteel steel-making plant’s steel output breached 3 million tons, the annual output reached 3,328,666 tons, which set up the highest output level since the foundation of the plant. And especially in Dec. daily average output is 10106 tons. 

WuSteel Determining 2005 Production Goal(2005/01/06)
On 29TH Dec. 2004 WuSteel held work conference. During the conference 2005 production, management and reformation goals were brought forward. 
Annual iron, steel and steel products output will be respectively 9.75 million tons, 10.3 million tons and 9.2 million tons; Meanwhile, sales revenue will reach ￥44.5 billion Yuan and profits will be 7 billion Yuan; Costs and charges will reduce ￥700 million Yuan. In 2005 we should strengthen technology reconstruction. 

High-end steel plant in pipeline(2005/01/06)
China's second-largest steel producer, Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corporation, recently signed a letter of intent with the Shenyang municipal government to establish a high-quality products processing and distribution base in the capital of Northeast China's Liaoning Province. 
The new 1-square-kilometre plant is designed to provide high-end products for the local automobile, machine tool and aircraft industries, and serve as the distribution centre for northeastern China. 
Anshan Steel Group General Manager Liu Jie said the group is expected to notch up an annual sales revenue of over 40 billion yuan (US$4.8 billion) in 2004. 
The group's steel output was 10 million tons in 2003, with its sales revenue reaching 31.5 billion yuan (US$3.8 billion). 
The automobile sector is playing an increasingly important role in this northeastern industrial city, and the group, headquartered in the nearby "steel town" of Anshan, is seeking to profit from this. 
The high-end automobile steel plate sector has assumed an increasingly important part in the group's business, said Liu. 
In the first 11 months of last year, the group produced over 120,000 tons of high-quality steel plate for automobile producers both at home and abroad, including many famous international brands, such as Volkswagen, BMW and Ford. 
"The past years saw a high-speed development in Shenyang, especially its automobile industry. This new plant would complete our products chain and better serve local clients," Liu added. 
Shenyang is home to the Jinbei Automobile Co, one of the nation's major mini-bus producers and BMW's first plant in China. 
Shenyang is a city that is hungry for steel, with many large-scale enterprises consuming one million tons of steel consumption annually. The figure is set to rise as Shenyang continue its economic recovery. 

Export and Import Amounting to $710 million in MaSteel Group(2005/01/05)
Ma’AnShan steel group has strengthened to develop foreign trade. Up to Dec. MaSteel has achieved imports and exports total amount $710 million above including export value $100, respectively increasing $100 million and $15 million compared with the same period of last year. 

BaoSteel---First Domestic Steel Company Whose Annual Output Achieving 20 million tons(2005/01/05)
On 31st Dec. ShangHai BaoSteel group company has issued news that in 2004 China largest steel company BaoSteel’s total steel output achieved 21.38 million tons in 2004, becoming the first domestic steel company whose annual output breached 20 million tons. What’s more, in 2004 BaoSteel’s annual sales revenue has exceeded ￥160 billion Yuan。 

Maanshansteel Achieved Target of 8 Million tpy ahead of Schedule(2005/01/05)
As of October 30 of 2004, Maanshansteel produced crude steel of 8.001 million tons, achieving the target ahead of schedule. The group’s sales revenue will doom to exceed 26 billion yuan and it will certainly become a locomotive to drive economic development in Anhui Province. 

Angang New Steel to buy parent assets(2005/01/05)
Angang New Steel Co., which lists shares in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, said Friday it would buy major iron, steel and other assets from its parent for 18.02 billion yuan (US$2.2 billion) to help cut raw material costs and boost earnings. 
Angang New Steel will finance the deal through a rights issue and share sale of as much as 8.3 billion yuan. The balance would be paid with about 10.5 billion yuan in non-tradable shares that would raise the parent’s stake to 65 percent from 45 percent. 
Analysts said the deal appeared fairly priced and would help Angang secure high-margin assets as it ramped up production in China’s fast-growing market. 
“Take this stock,’’ said Liu Yang, who helps manage US$1.8 billion, including Angang’s shares, at Atlantis Investment Management in Hong Kong. “It is a deal that will give Angang profitable assets for very low cost.” 
Angang said in a statement that it planned to buy the assets from its State-owned parent Anshan Iron and Steel (Group), China’s second-biggest steel producer. 
The deal will transform Angang New Steel into an integrated steelmaker, giving it an iron production plant and a hot rolled strip plant. 

Anshan buys parent company’s assets(2005/01/04)
Anshan New Steel Co, China’s biggest exporter of steel, is to buy the assets of its state-owned parent company, Anshan Iron and Steel Group Complex, said company chairman Liu Jie, according to Bloomberg. 
Anshan New Steel is listed on the Hong Kong and Shanghai stock markets and will make the 18 billion yuan ($2.18 billion) purchase using funds raised through a share issue.
The parent group’s iron ore assets will not be changing hands, Liu told reporters. The company must grow to compete with China’s new steel companies, he said.
Located in Anshan City in northeast China’s Liaoning province, the mill announced that it received approval for its new 5 million tpy steel project on December 1. This will increase its capacity to 16 million tpy in 2006. The project will produce both hot rolled and cold rolled steel sheets, a company official said, but he refused to give further details about location and construction schedule. 
Speaking on the market, Liu was positive. “When I go to Taiwan, Europe and the USA, I keep having people say to me, ‘Liu, I need you to supply me with 500,000 tonnes of your products’,” he was quoted a saying. “We are already China’s biggest steel exporter. We expect global steel prices to be quite good next year. Coal prices have risen, so I don’t see why that wouldn’t be reflected in steel prices.”

HangSteel, NanSteel and Minmetals Jointly Investing Coke Project(2004/12/31)
In order to strengthen strategic cooperation with HuaiBei mining group company and establish steady coke supply base, HanSteel plans to invest in coke project jointly with HuaiBei mining group company, ShangHai coking company, NanJing steel integrated company and minmetals company. The jointly company is called LinHuan coking company, with the total capital stock ￥600 million Yuan。HangSteel will provide capital 60 million Yuan, with the proportion of stock holding 10%. 

LiuSteel “Eleventh Five-year “ Structure Renovation Project Obtaining Approval(2004/12/30)
On 17th Dec. LiuSteel structure renovation project was approved in LiuSteel “eleventh five-year “structure renovation project appraisement meet. After the project’s implementation, the strength and market competence of LiuSteel will be greatly hastened. 

Hualing Pipeline to Reorganize Xianggang Group(2004/12/29)
Board of Hualing Pipeline approved a decision to reform Xianggang Group for creating a new limited company that contains all the assets from Hualing Pipeline Xianggang corporation department, shares from Guanghua Wire company and Xianggang’s steel core assets including seven backbone plants and eleven offices, in which Hualing Pipeline will hold 80% shares while Xiangang will hold the remaining ones.

Anshansteel’s Finished Steel Production to Exceed 10 Million Tons in 2004(2004/12/28)
Following the breakthrough of 10 million tons for both iron and steel in the past two years, Anshan Iron and Steel will breach the mark of 10 million tons again this year with iron production estimated of 11.5 million tons and steel production of 11.3 million tons. It is noticeable that its finished steel production will exceed 10 million tons for the first time. During the first eleven months this year, its steel export rose by 172% from the previous same period, ranking the top in the steel industry nationwide.

PanSteel Zn-Al coated Line Achieving Designed Capacity(2004/12/27)
According to PanZhiHua steel group CR plant, in Nov. PanSteel No.2 hot galvanized aluminum production line, key project of PanSteel third project construction and first such production line in China, has achieved output of 26,350 tons, 1350 tons more than designed monthly capacity. This means that domestic first hot galvanized aluminum production line successfully achieved designed monthly capacity. What’s more, designed annual capacity of the production line is 300,000 tons, with the whole investment of ￥600 million Yuan.

Shougang’s Color Coating Sheets Entering Southern Market(2004/12/22)
Shougang has sold 200 tons of color coating sheets to a customer in the southern market for the first time since its color coating line started operation. The material is used to construct exterior wall of workshop for an integrated steel complex with annual capacity of 6 million tons in Zhuhai city, Guangdong Province.

HanSteel Achieving Profits 1.1 Billion Yuan In Jan.-Nov.(2004/12/22)
In Nov. HanSteel group remains strong production level. In the single month output of steel, iron and commercial steel is respectively 581,000, 425,000 and 576,000 tons in HanSteel and it realized sales revenue of 2258 million Yuan, profits tax of 278 million Yuan and profits of 150 million Yuan. What’s more, in Jan.-Dec. 2004 the total output of steel, iron and commercial steel is respectively 6.226 million tons, 4.657 million tons and 6.037 million tons, up 13.37%, 0.93%, and 15.2% compared with the same period of last year; Further, HanSteel has achieved sales revenue of 23.538 billion Yuan, up 45.3%; profits tax is 2.598 billion Yuan, up 17.2% and profit is 1.177 billion Yuan, up 25.6%. 

Handan Steel to Launch its Upgrade CR Mill(2004/12/20)
Handansteel is about to launch its upgrade cold rolled mill with annual capacity of 1.3 million tons. Facilities in pickling section are expected to install at the end of this month and part of pickling line has started stand-alone commissioning. Color coating line is ready for operation and grinding machine is being installed. The 4.39 billion yuan project was listed as a national key technology reform program in 2000.

Prices of Steel Products in Guanggang Group Will Increase 6-7% Next Year(2004/12/20)
According to principals of GuangSteel group, It’s expected that the output in 2005 will be 3.6 million tons. Influenced by supply-demand conditions and raw materials prices increasing, steel prices will be up 6-7%. According to experts, steel prices hike will impose appreciation press on real state, auto industries in GuangZhou.

HuaiSteel “Tenth five-year” First Stage Technology Renovation Project Successfully Implemented(2004/12/16)
Since completed and put into production on 6th Apr. to 30th Nov. HuaSteel limited company’s “Tenth five-year” technology renovation project first stage has produced continuous casting billets 529,100 tons through convertor; Meanwhile, production is stable and main technological and economical indexes have reached or exceeded designed indexes, becoming the backbone of HuaiSteel economy benefits. In Jan.-Nov. HuaiSteel’s sales revenue has increased ￥1.679 billion Yuan compared with the same period of last year, and quantity of pig iron and continuous casting billet is respectively 15,000 tons and 58,319 tons. 

Chengde Steel Boosts its Production to 2 Million Tons(2004/12/16)
According to Chengde Iron and Steel Group, the company has produced 2 million tons of steel as of October 12 2004, achieving another target since October 12 2000 when its output hit 1 million tons. In 2005, Chengdesteel aims to boost its production by another 1 million tons.
As a reference, the company, which was founded in 1954, produced 1.19 million tons of steel in 2001, 1.57 million tons in 2002 and 1.73 million tons in 2003.

Pangang to raise domestic HR prices(2004/12/15)
China’s Panzhihua Iron & Steel (Pangang) is intending to increase domestic hot rolled coil prices from 1 January amid tight coil supplies in the home market and little risk of import competition.
Based in Panzhihua city in southwest China’s Sichuan province, Pangang has decided to raise prices of HR coil to 3.0 mm thick but an official announcement of its decision will not be made until 20 December. 
“We have not formally announced the price adjustment yet, but the report on the Xingangtie website should be reliable,” a Pangang sales division indicated. 
The Chinese steel news website reported on 13 December that the price of Pangang’s HR coils to 1.5mm thick will be raised by 220 yuan ($26) per tonne from the current 4,680 yuan ($562); HR 1.5-2.0mm will be increased by 120 yuan, and that 2.0-3.0mm will be increased by 50 yuan. 
Prices of HR 3.0-6.0mm thick will not be affected and will continue to sell at 3,940 yuan per tonne, Xingangtie reported. 
Behind the company’s decision to raise its prices is the tight supply of HR in the Chinese market. “The domestic market is tight because on the one hand, a lot of domestic steel makers have opted for exports to win higher profits,” Pangang’s official said, admitting that the volume of his company’s HR exports this year could be 30-40 percent above last year. 
On the other hand, imported HR coil into China is currently selling at least $50-60 per tonne higher than domestic coil, thus presenting exporters of HR coil to China with difficulties Pangang’s official said. 

PanSteel Group New Steel & Vanadium Company Setting Production Goal of 2005(2004/12/15)
On 30th Dec. PanSteel group new steel & vanadium limited company initially fixed on production goals in 2005. According to the production goals plan, in 2005 output of pig iron , converter steel , HR sheet , wire iron , vanadium steel will respectively reach 4.05 million tons, 4 million tons, 2.58 million tons, 120,000 tons, 5200 tons. 

Baosteel gets S&P's highest credit rating among Chinese firms(2004/12/14)
China' largest steel maker, Shanghai Baogang Group Company (Baosteel), stands out among domestic firms in the latest rating report of Standard & Poor's Ratings Services with a credit rating of BBB+, the company said. 
Standard & Poor's has raised the credit rating of the group from BBB, giving the same promotion to its listed company, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., in which the group holds 85 percent of the shares, Baosteel said in a press release Thursday. 
It said the promotion reflects Baosteel's improved financial performance and sustained business expansion and will help the company raise more funds at the overseas capital market. 
Standard & Poor's gave Baosteel a BBB+ rating in its first assessment of the group in 1997, but reduced it to BB+ with a negative prospect in 1999, following its merger with Shanghai Metallurgy and Meishan Iron and Steel Company. Baosteel was one of nine Chinese companies to get a BBB credit rating in 2003. 
Baosteel is China's largest iron and steel conglomerate. It ranks sixth in the world with an annual steel output of 20 milliontons. Thanks to the recent recovery of the global steel market andits own optimized product mix, the group reported an annual 33-percent rise in net profits in the first half of this year. 

MaSteel Expected to Produce Steel 8.06 million tons in 2004(2004/12/13)
The output of iron、steel and steel products in MaSteel is expected to reach 7.26 million tons、8.06 million tons and 7.48 million tons respectively this year. Compared with iron、steel and steel products output(3.685 million tons、3.551 million tons and 3.116 million tons) in 1999, this year’s output increases more than 100%. Meanwhile, MaSteel has possessed world-class production lines, such as CR and HR sheet production lines, colour-coated sheet line, high-speed iron wire line and so on. 

CES Metal News：Nanjing Iron & Steel concludes exclusive supply contract with Bekaert Shanghai(2004/12/10)
Belgian wire and cord producer Bekaert has concluded a one-year exclusive supply agreement with Nanjing Iron & Steel Union Co, the former Nanjing Iron & Steel Group, to supply wire rods for Bekaert’s Shanghai plant.
The agreement calls for the Nanjing steelmaker, based in Jiangsu province, to supply 500 tpm of rods from January to Bekaert-Shanghai No 2 Steel Co, the 50-50 joint venture the two firms established in 1998 to produce steel fibres used in concrete reinforcing.
Bekaert approached the Chinese steelmaker earlier this year for supplies of wire rods and after confirming that Nanjing Iron & Steel’s product satisfied its requirements chose to abandon its existing rods supplier, a Nanjing official said.
Nanjing Iron & Steel expects to produce 600,000 tonnes of wire rods this year.
Bekaert and the Nanjing mill are also cooperating in developing wire rods for Bekaert’s steel cord production. “We are still in the preparation period and no substantial development work has been done,” the Nanjing Iron & Steel official stressed.
Bekaert has steel cord plants in Jiangyin, also in Jiangsu, in Shenyang in Liaoning province in northeast China, and in Weihai in Shandong province in east China. The Belgian firm will boast a total capacity of 100,000 tpy in China when the Weihai plant is commissioned next year.

BaoSteel Obtaining Standard & Poor ＢＢＢ＋ Credit Appraisement(2004/12/10)
According to the latest news from ShangHai BaoSteel group, world-famous credit appraisement organ——Standard & Poor's company announced that credit appraisement of BaoSteel group and BaoSteel stocked company is raised from “BBB” to “BBB+”. During this appraisement, BaoSteel obtains the highest credit appraisement among Chinese companies and is also the sole domestic steel company getting investment level.

ChengDe Vanadium & Titanium’s New Ⅲ Grade Reinforcing Steel Bar Entering Olympics Key Projects(2004/12/09)
The key project of BeiJing Olympics ---State palaestra (bird nest project) recently started to use new Ⅲ grade reinforcing steel bar which is produced by ChengDe Xinxin Vanadium & Titanium ltd.. These new Ⅲ grade reinforcing steel bars are widely used in state key projects such as there-gorge project and LianYunGang tianwan nuclear power station.

Liugang’s No.4 Caster Successfully Completed Hot Commission(2004/12/08)
No.4 slab continuous caster in Liuzhou Iron and Steel Corporation successfully completed hot commission on November 30, laying the fundamental for the company to enhance high value added slab production.
The 100 million yuan caster can produce 1400-1800mm wide and 180-250mm thick high quality slab with annual capacity of 1.2 million tons.

LianSteel Sales Revenue Breaching ￥10 Billion Yuan(2004/12/08)
Following sheet output reaching 1 million tons on 19th Nov. and annual steel output achieving 3 million tons on 22nd Nov., on 6th Dec. LianSteel annual sales revenue has breached ￥10 billion Yuan 。Valin LianSteel has become the sole metallurgical company whose annul sales revenue takes lead in breaching 10 billion Yuan in HuNan province. 

Xingtaisteel Spending 5 Billion yuan on Wire Processing Project(2004/12/07)
Xingtai Iron and Steel Corporation will spend 5 billion yuan on constructing the country’s biggest wire rod processing project that aims to provide high quality material for auto sector. The project has an initial capacity of 100,000 tons and will be completed by two phases.

AnSteel Group ‘s Construction of 5 million tons Steel in West Area Approved(2004/12/07) 
According to LiaoNing province metallurgical industry supervision office, State development planning commission has approved AnShan steel group(controlling shareholder of AnSteel rolling company) 's programming construction of west area 5 million tons steel plant and reconstruction of former plant; This has made meaningful signification to AnSteel group achieving “tenth five-year” and “eleventh five-year” programming. 

WuSteel Supplying Heavy Rail to Tanzania-Zambia Railway(2004/12/06)
On 24th Nov. the last block of 1500 tons regular 45kp/meter heavy rails were produced in WuSteel large section plant and this means that production of 10000 tons heavy rails, produced by WuSteel large section plant to export to Tanzania and Zambia, are entirely completed.

Shortage of CR Silicon Steel Led Production Stop of Transformer Uses(2004/12/06)
Shortage supply of cold rolled silicon sheet has boosted its price to 6500 yuan per ton from the previous 2000 yuan per ton. Driven by strong demand, customers from machinery and power sectors have no choice but to meet demand from oversea sources such as Japan and South Korea where prices are 300 yuan higher than that in domestic market.
According to a source from China Iron and Steel Industry, only a few producers in the country are in the position to manufacture cold rolled silicon sheet and among which can produce oriented cold rolled silicon sheet for transformers only limited to Wuhan Iron and Steel Corporation.

BaoSteel Entering WuHan Logistics Industry(2004/12/03)
ShangHai BaoSteel International economy and trade cooperation (belonging to BaoSteel group) has signed agreement with WuHan development area management committee to construction BaoSteel WuHan logistics center. The other day WuHan HuaZhong trade limited company was established in WuHan, which is the first start-up project conforming the agreement. 
According to the agreement, a series of projects will be successively started up in the logistics center, such as headquarter of BaoSteel WuHan HuaZhong trade limited company, logistics center, processing and distribution center and so on. 

Baotousteel Constructing China’s First Environmental Steel Industry Zone(2004/12/03)
Baotou Iron and Steel Corporation was beginning to construct the country’s first state-level environmental steel industry zone after obtaining approval by the State Environmental Protection Administration on November 30. The 3.7 billion yuan project is scheduled to complete in 2020.
The total steel production in Baotousteel was 4.47 million tons during the first ten months this year and sales revenue was 16.9 billion yuan. The company is expected to be the first one in the Inner Mongolia whose revenue exceeds 20 billion yuan.

MaSteel 5 Million tons Value-added Sheet and Coil Project Approved(2004/12/02)
On 24th Nov. MaSteel group’s the eleventh five-year development programming was approved by state development planning commission. This is the first approved construction programming for state-owned large steel companies after state development reformed investment system this year. According to the programming, MaSteel will invest ￥20.5 billion Yuan on 5 million tons value-added sheet and coil production line during 2006-2010.
By the end of “the eleventh five-year” MaSteel will form integrated production capacity of iron 11.58 million tons, steel 12.77 million tons and steel products 12.305 million tons. 

Angang Group and Dalian New Shipbuilding Jointly Dealing Steel Processing and Delivery(2004/12/02)
Dalian New shipbuilding Heavy Industry Co and Angang Group recently formed a new company, called Angang New Steel-New Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Dalian Steel Processing and Delivery Co. Ltd to deal with business of steel processing and distribution.
The 700 million yuan company will have a handling capacity of 150,000 tons in 2006, 400,000 tons in 2007 and 600,000 tons in 2009.

NorthEast Special Steel Group BeiSteel Established(2004/12/01)
Approved by HeiLongJiang province state-owned assets supervision and administration commission，former BeiMan special steel group is formally changed to Northeast special steel group BeiMan special steel limited company。On the morning of 26th ，Northeast special steel group BeiMan special steel limited company held establishment anniversary，which means that LiaoNing special steel group and BeiMan special steel`s cross-province reconstruction is successfully completed。 

Maanshansteel’s Performance Results Hit Record High during January to October(2004/12/01)
Maanshansteel produced pig iron of 5.892 million tons during January to October this year; crude steel of 6.6689 million tons; finished steel of 6.8327 million tons and realized sales revenue of over 20 billion yuan. The company aims to produce 10 million tons of steel next year.

Production and Management Continuing to Advance in BaoTou Steel During Jan.-Oct(2004/11/30)
Up to end of Oct. BaoTou Iron & Steel company has achieved total industry production value of ￥23 billion Yuan and realized sales revenue of ￥16.896 billion Yuan. Every index of production and management all increase steeply, and sales avenue and profits overfulfil annual planned target. In Oct. iron and steel output in BaoTou steel are respectively 4,390,100 tons and 4,470,700 tons, what’s more output of merchant slabs and billets is 4,446,600 tons. On the other hand, in BaoTou steel exports are very strong; In Jan.-Oct. export value is 93.2379 million Yuan, up 207.29% compared with the same period of last year. 

Maanshansteel’s No.2 Converter Hit New Record of Life Span(2004/11/30)
Up till November 20, Maanshansteel’s No.2 50-ton converter stopped operating with single unit performance of 26,670 taps since December 9 2002 when it started running, renewing the previous record of 24,612 taps by 2,058 created by the mill’s No. 1 converter on October 10 this year. The mill cited the good results for the intention to pursue long life and high efficiency of the furnace, constant instruction of new technology and the results from methods to enhance its comprehensive economy index.

MeiSteel 5 million tons Steel Programming Scheme Passing Inner Approval(2004/11/26)
According to programming scheme designed by ChongQing steel designing academy, during ‘the eleventh five-year” MeiSteel will form pig iron capacity of 5.26 million tons, converter steel capacity of 5.3 million tons and steel products capacity of 5 million tons. Furthermore, MeiSteel will strengthen relations and communications with BaoSteel group, BaoSteel stocked company and NanJing government to make preparation works to implement 5 million tons steel programming. 

Baoshan Iron & Steel raises steel prices(2004/11/26)
Baoshan Iron & Steel Co, the listed arm of Shanghai Baosteel Group, has warned domestic customers of price rises across almost its entire product catalogue for the January-March quarter next year.
“The new prices took effect on 23 November, which means orders placed after this date for the first quarter 2005 will follow the new prices,” said a Baoshan Iron & Steel official in charge of steel sales.
According to the company’s announcement, the base price for hot rolled coils has been increased by 300 yuan ($36) per tonne, with additional charges levied for size extras. HR to 2.0-2.29 mm in thickness is costing customers an extra 150 yuan, and 1.99 mm and below another 300 yuan.
Electro-galvanized has been adjusted upwards by 150 yuan per tonne (base increase), and colour coated steel to 0.5 mm and above in thickness has been raised by 200 yuan per tonne. For both steels, 0.4-0.5 mm grade costs an additional 300 yuan, 0.35-0.4 mm an extra 400 yuan, and below 0.35 mm 500 yuan.
The base price for pickled hot rolled coil has been raised by 300 yuan per tonne, but those with 2.0-2.49 mm and 1.99 mm and below in thickness will cost buyers an extra 150 and 300 yuan per tonne respectively. 
Cold rolled coil prices have been raised by 450 yuan per tonne overall while those 0.4-0.5 in thickness carry an additional 100 yuan, and those 0.39 mm and below in thickness another 300 yuan.
Apart from the 300 yuan per tonne adjustment for all hot-dipped galvanized, HDG to 0.4-0.5 mm thick costs an additional 150 yuan, 0.35-0.4 mm another 250 yuan, and 0.35 and below another 350 yuan.
Baoshan’s tinplate price has been increased by 400 yuan per tonne and silicon steel sheets by 600 yuan per tonne. Aluminized HDG products 0.5mm and above, 0.35-0.49 mm, and 0.34 mm and below in thickness have been raised by 400 yuan, 500 yuan and 600 yuan per tonne respectively. 
“We have not changed the hot rolled coil price since the second quarter this year, as we have been trying to keep our prices stable,” said the Baoshan official. “We decided to increase our selling prices due to our prediction that demand and supply in the domestic market will continue to be tight,” he added. 

Wuhansteel to Boost CR Silicon Sheet Capacity to 1.2 Million tpy(2004/11/24)
The National Development and Reform Commission recently approved of an expansion program by Wuhan Iron and Steel Co. who plans to increase its cold rolled silicon sheet capacity from current 400,000 tons to 1.2 million tons per year. The 4.883 billion yuan project is scheduled to produce 800,000 tpy of cold rolled silicon sheet and cold hard coil, hence alleviating the household tight supply-demand balance.

XiangSteel Annual Steel Output Breaching 3 million tons(2004/11/24)
On 22nd Nov. three units of 80 tons converters started to produce in Valin XiangTan steel company and this means that XiangSteel annual steel output will breach 3 million tons. Before it took 39 years for XiangSteel to achieve annual output at 1 million tons. From 1998 XiangSteel has quickened steps on technological reconstruction and production structure is upgraded better and better. In 2001 steel output has reached more than 2 million tons and in this year annual output breaches 3 million tons. 

iYuan I & S Company Steel Output Breaching 1 million tons for the First Time(2004/11/23)
Ending 9th Nov. HeNan JiYuan Steel & Iron Company steel output breached 1 million tons for the first time, and this is another landmark in the production development history. What’s more, this means that JiSteel has developed to super-large steel company. 

MaSteel Sales Revenues Breaching ￥20 billion Yuan in First 10 months of 2004(2004/11/22)
According to MaSteel economy analysis on first 10 months, MaSteel’s steel output is 6.669 million tons and steel sales are 6.61694 million tons. What’s more, payback ratio of folding money and capital is respectively 98.22% and 100%. The realized sales revenues are 21.782 billion Yuan. It’s expected that annual output of 8 million tons and sales revenues of 26 billion Yuan will be achieved. 

Valin Steel Tube & Wire Company and XiangSteel Group Establishing Joint Venture Company(2004/11/19)
HuNan Valin Steel Tube & Wire Company and XiangSteel Group will jointly establish HuNan Valin XiangTan steel limited company. The new company will form main and integrate production system of steel and wire, with steel capacity of 3 million tons. The enrolled capital of the company is ￥2 billion Yuan, with Valin Steel Tube & Wire Company holding stocks of 79.89% and XiangSteel holding the rest. 

Operating Income in Both Jinansteel and Laiwusteel Top 20 Billion yuan during January to October(2004/11/19)
Operating income in the two leading steel groups in Shangdong Province- Jinnan Iron and Steel and Laiwu Iron and Steel top 20 billion yuan each during January to October, breaking the record level in the history. 
During the period, Jinansteel produced 5.61 million tons of steel, 4.45 million tons of pig iron, 4.58 million tons of finished steel and achieved operating income of 22.7 billion yuan, up 120.6% from the corresponding same period while Laiwusteel produced 4.88 million tons of steel, 3.5 million tons of pig iron, 5.07 million tons of finished steel and achieved operating income of 22 billion yuan, up 84.8%.

Liuzhousteel Building an annual output scale of 4.5 Million tons(2004/11/18)
Guangxi’s Liuzhou Iron and Steel Group Corporation has recently launched its No.2 100-ton converter project- annual production of 1.2 million tons with total investment of 240 million yuan, hence building up an overall output system of 4.5 million tons per year.
The project is in a position to provide materials available for conversion carbon and low alloy structure steel, bridge steel, steel for auto and shipbuilding, welding rod steel, hard wire steel and boiler steel.

First Batch of Colour Coated Sheet in HanSteel Entering Markets(2004/11/18) 
On 3rd Nov. Thirty coils of colour coated sheet, produced in HanSteel group, were delivered to FuShan, GuangDong province and this is the first sells of colour coated sheet in HanSteel. Thickness of these 130 tons sheets is 0.40-0.45mm and width is 1000mm and the coated colour is sea blue.

BaotouSteel Entering Top 100 Listed Companies in China(2004/11/17) 
Recently “2004 Top 100 Listed Companies of China” is published, and Inner Mongolia BaoSteel integrated steel stocked company is positioned on 34th. 
The evaluation standards include main revenues、income per stock 、cash flux per stock 、 net profits and yield of net assets, meanwhile taking accounts of production scale、technology level and so on. 

Baosteel-Arcelor Laser Welded Launched on November 9(2004/11/12)
A joint venture of Shanghai Baosteel-Arcelor Laser Welded Ltd. formed by the world’s No.1 steel giant Arcelor, Shanghai Baosteel and Shanghai Volkswagen launched on November 9 of 2004. Total investment of the first phase of the project was 267 million yuan. Two arms under Baosteel hold 38% shares, Arcelor holds 28% and Volkswagen holds the remaining shares. Annual output of the JV will set to 2.6 million units and finally form a production scale of 10 million units per year.

JiSteel Medium Plate Plant’s Output Reaching One Million tons in Ten Months(2004/11/10)
In Oct. JiSteel medium plate plant has set a new monthly output level, hitting 105,000 tons. In Jan-Oct. 2004 the total output of medium plates is 1.004 million tons, increasing 177,600 tons compared with the same period of last year. 

Construction of Material Dock for Shagang Completed(2004/11/10)
Construction of a material dock for Shagang Group’s Hongchang Sheet Co. completed, hence ready for launching. The project aimed at facilitating to import fine ore from Australia, Brazil and South Africa and the dock has two berths for stopping bulk carriers of 50000t and 3000t, with annual handling capacity of 4.2 million tons.

Baosteel’s Export to Increase by 10% in 2004(2004/11/09)
Based on the contracts signed through October, Baosteel’s export is expected to rise by 10% in 2004 and could break record high in terms of export value.
Its cold rolled products have entered markets such as Italy, Poland, Spain, America and Japan while rod steel embarked on South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and America markets. 1220 ordinary cold rolled sheet export has increased from over 1400 tons of the previous year to the current 16,000 tons and its customer base enlarged from a few in two countries to more than 20 ones in Europe, Asia and American.

BaoSteel No.3 Blast Furnace’s Many Indexes Setting Up(2004/11/09) 
The total output of iron of No.3 blast furnace in BaoSteel is 34.47 million tons during ten years since the start of the furnace. From 1998 many economical and technological indexes of No.3 blast furnace always keep world top level, such as the daily output, using modulus, energy consumption and so on . Since May this year, the average using modulus is 2.5 tons/stere per day; and now the daily output has reached 11,000 tons. 

Tangshansteel’s Daily Output of HR Sheet Exceeded 10,000 tons(2004/11/08)
Daily production of hot rolled sheet in Tangshansteel reached 10,108.02 tons on October 25, breaking through the 10,000 tpd marks for the first time in the history.

Rate Increasing Causing increasing BaoSteel 4 million Yuan Financial Charges(2004/11/08)
According to BaoSteeel Stocked Company, by the end of third quarter the ratio of liabilities to net worth is 36.9%; Because the rate isn’t increasing substantially, the financial charges will add 4 million Yuan per year. So it will not greatly impact the company. 

Xingtaisteel’s Operational Performance Hit Record High during First Three Quarters(2004/11/08)
Xingtai Iron and Steel Ltd Co., one of China’s top 500 industrial enterprises achieved sales revenue of 4.7 billion yuan during the first three quarters of 2004. The company has realized a strategic transformation from ordinary carbon steel to high quality and breed one. Its high-speed wire line can produce high quality alloy, carbon structural, low, medium and high carbon steels.

WuSteel No.2 Blast Furnace Reconstruction Project Started(2004/11/05)
The total cubage of the blast furnace is 3200 steres ,which is expected to complete by Jun. 2006 
Following No. 6 blast furnace in WuSteel starting production, WuSteel No. 2 blast furnace reconstruction project is also formally started. Therefore, WuSteel has further strided forward the steel production goal of 14 million tons.
The time limit of the project is just 20 months and by Jun. 2006 the project will by completed. Then the total cubage of the blast furnace will be 3200 stere. 

TangSteel Expected to Overhual HR Production Line on 10TH Nov.(2004/11/04)
TangSteel is scheduled to examine and repair HR production line on 10th Nov. and it will last 7 days. The output loss is estimated to be 70,000 tons.

Maanshansteel Achieved Output Target in October(2004/11/04)
Maanshansteel’s cold rolled mill has increased its October output to 110,000 tons from the previous record of 78,000 tons, achieving the best performance since the mill started operation eight months ago. Meanwhile, the company obtained the planned target with galvanized production in the excess of 30,000 tons.

LianSteel Steel Production and Sale Ratio Reaching 103.3% in Sep.(2004/11/03)
In Sep. steel production and sale ratio reached 103.3% in HuaLing group LianYuan steel company; meanwhile, steel stocks reduce 1,1000 tons compared with beginning of Sep. and quantity of stocks in plant is 1,3000 tons. In this month sales of steel products in LianSteel reached 337,000 tons, increasing 150,000 tons compared with the same period of last year; in particular, sheet sales quantity breaches 166,000 tons, up 29,000 tons compared with last month. 

Unit Water Consumption in Baotousteel Cut to 13.6 m3(2004/11/03)
Composition treatment project for drainage system in Baotousteel has been completed and its capacity for treating pollution water reaches 6000 m3 per hour, allowing the company to enhance utility in industrial recycle water in the excess of 95%. 
Accordingly, Baotousteel will lower fresh water consumption to 13.6 cubic meters for producing one ton of steel.

NingXia Shut 14 Units of Ferroalloy Companies(2004/11/02)
Since 2004 NingXia carried out complete investigation and on ferroalloy companies and projects, meanwhile cleared some unqualified projects and units. As for companies and project already built , NingXia government has shut 14 units with production capacity 160,000 tons. It’s known that at present there are 59 units ferroalloy companies with capacity of 980,000 tons.

Russia Customer Intents to Buy Angang’s Color Coating Sheet(2004/11/01)
180-ton’s 0.45mm thick and 1250mm wide color coating sheets from Angang are being delivered to Russia on October 22, marking the first time for the company’s color coating sheet debut on the oversea market. It is said the Russian’s large-scale light section manufacture has intention to purchase Angang’s products on long-term basis. Both sides are negotiating another order on 500 tons color coating sheets.

PanSteel Exploiting High-speed and Heavy-loading Steel Technology(2004/10/29)
Recently, High-speed and heavy-loading steel technology development project, charged by PanZhiHua steel group as a key project of tenth five years plan, was approved by state science and technology department and formally started. The general aim of the project is that every technology economy index and product quality must achieve world class level, meanwhile annual output of bonus steel will be 550,000 tons. The total investment of the project is ￥82 million Yuan and it’s expected that it will be completed in Mar. 2006.

Handan Steel strengthens flat rolled(2004/10/29)
China’s Handan Iron & Steel Group is preparing to begin trials on its new 1.3 million tpy cold rolling mill, a key component in a strategy to diversify its business base away from construction steel. 
Installation of the SMS Demag mill began in March at the Handan City-based steelmaker in Hebei Province. Trials should begin before the end of this year and last about two or three months, the company says. The line can produce CR sheets and coils 0.15-0.67 mm thick and 1500-1550 mm wide.
The new CR mill, together with new coating facilities, will help Handan Steel shift its targeted market from construction steel to flat products. “In the next two or three years we hope produce as much as 6.5 million tonnes of steel annually of which at least 4 million will be flat products,” said the steelmaker’s official. Crude steel production between January and September this year reached 4.08 million tonnes.
Incorporated in 1958, Handan Steel now has a crude steel production capacity of 5 million tpy and it has two hot strip mills with a combined capacity of 2.5 million tpy capable of rolling HR 1,250-1,500 mm wide and 1.5-1.8mm thick. The second HSM was commissioned last summer adding 1.3 million tpy to capacity. “We plan to produce 2.4 million tonnes this year,” said the official. 
Coinciding with the start of the new CR mill was the commissioning of a new 350,000 tpy hot-dip galvanizing line from VAI that has given Handan Steel a total galvanizing capacity of 650,000 tpy. But the new line is only expected to produce about 120,000 tonnes this year. “We will supply the coil feeds ourselves for the galvanizing line, but since hot rolled and cold rolled coil is in strong demand in the domestic market, we won’t transfer much for galvanizing,” said the Handan official.
Also commissioned in summer were two new colour-coating lines, each with a capacity of 120,000 tpy, sourced from Posec, the engineering arm of Korean steel giant Posco. 
Meanwhile Handan Steel subsidiary Wuyang Iron & Steel, located in Dingtushan City in central China’s Henan Province, is proceeding with plans for a new 1.2 million tpy plate mill that it hopes to commission by 2005, with a total cost of 3 billion yuan .

ZhangJiaGang Pohang Stainless Steel Expansion Project Approved by State Environment Protection Bureau(2004/10/28)
On 20th Oct. State environment protection bureau issued no.386 documents which approved ZhangJiaGang Pohang stainless steel expansion project. What’s more, the bureau also brought forward instructive ideas and suggestions. The expansion project has been approved and this has helped the ZhangJiaGang Pohang project will start production on schedule.

Steel Output in HanSteel Reaching 4.08 million tons in Jan.-Sep. 2004(2004/10//26)
In Jan.-Sep. 2004 HanDan iron&steel stocked limited company’s steel output is 4.083 million tons and iron output is 3.037 million tons, up 2.95% compared with the same period of last year; What’s more, output of steel products is 3.435 million tons, up 14.4%.
In Jan.-Sep. 2004 the main operating revenues in the company are ￥14.05 billion Yuan, up 68.9%; the total of profits is 970 million Yuan, up 33.5%; and the net profits are 648 million Yuan, up 31.7%. 
In addition, the CR sheet project in HanSteel is proceeding as planned, it’s expected that by the end of this year the project will be put into production. 

ShouSteel 2 million tons Integrated Steel Project Started to Production In HeBei(2004/10/25)
On 15th Oct. ShouSteel 2 million tons integrated steel project held completion celebration. The total investment of the project is ￥3.2 billion Yuan and now have fulfilled investment of 2.8 billion Yuan. The main project was started to produce on 25th Mar. 2003. On 9th Oct. 2650 steres blast furnace produced the first kiln of iron and on 12th Oct. No.1 210 tons convertor smelted the kiln of steel; what’s more, continuous casting mill has started to production. 

Wuhansteel’s First Three Quarters Profit Up 191.79%(2004/10/22)
Wuhan Iron and Steel Group’s output, sales income and profit hit record high during January to September of 2004. 
The company produced 6.3462 million tons of pig iron, up 6.18% from the previous same period, 6.4654 million tons of raw steel, up 4.42% and 6.0972 million tons of finished steel, up 32.86%; realized sales income of 27.125 billion yuan, up 45.44% and profits of 4.622 billion yuan, up 191.79%.
The whole year’s income for Wuhansteel is expected to reach 38 billion yuan with profits of more than 6 billion yuan.

Wuhan signs iron ore MoU with Austeel chairman Clive Palmer(2004/10/22)
China’s Wuhan Iron & Steel Group and another unnamed Chinese steelmaker have signed a memorandum of understanding with Austeel’s chairman Clive Palmer to take 10 million tpy of iron ore products over 25 years. 
Palmer, acting as chairman of project company International Minerals Pty Ltd (IM), signed the MoU with Wuhan vp Li Fushan in Perth on October 9. The agreement covers the sale of 5 million tpy of iron ore concentrate and 5 million tpy of pellet to the two Chinese steelmakers over a 25-year period. 
“The estimated value of the iron ore product sales for the project exceeds A$20 billion (US$14 billion),” said Palmer. “This sale will be the single largest Australian iron ore export contract ever.”
Under the terms of the MoU, the Chinese mills will invest in IM’s share capital to build up just under 50 percent ownership of the project. “The foreshadowed investment in International Minerals’ share capital would be the largest investment by any offshore parties in a single iron ore project in Western Australia,” said IM company secretary Liam Scanlan in a statement.
“It is a huge deal, but it is only a memorandum of understanding and, as FMG knows, there is a world of difference between MoUs and binding contracts,” said an industry analyst in Perth. He added that there is a long way to go before the project gets off the ground and the Chinese have to put money on the table. 
Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) is in the process of converting MoUs into binding sales contracts for its own Pilbara iron ore project.
The IM project is based on the 800 million tonne George Palmer ore body in the Fortescue Ranges 80 km from the Pilbara port of Dampier. IM plans to build an open pit mine, concentrating circuit and pelletizing plant to produce 5 million tpy of concentrate (Fe content 71%) and 7 million tpy of pellets over a period of at least 30 years. The overall project cost, including infrastructure and port facilities, is estimated to be A$1.8 billion and Palmer plans to begin construction in 2005, with first ore possibly at the end of 2007.
The Western Australian government granted environmental approval for a 3 million tpy concentrate and 7 million tpy pellet production plant in November 2003. 
Austeel originally wanted to build the iron ore mine and pellet plant to feed a new steelmaking complex in New South Wales, but pulled the plug on the proposed 3.85 million tpy steelmaking plant in the Hunter region of New South Wales in March this year, blaming a lack of funding and government backing.
Wuhan also signed a long term iron ore off take agreement with BHP Billiton last month.

hangjiagang-Posco Set to Long-term Sales Plan for Stainless(2004/10/21)
Based on Chinese economic development trend, Zhangjiagang-Pocso forecasts demand for products such as stainless hot and cold rolled, galvanized and color coated sheets in the next five years and accordingly sets to a sales plan.
With the rapid development of Chinese economic in the next five years, demands for stainless hot and cold rolled and galvanized sheets will rise year on year, but the growth rate will show a fluctuation, the company said. During the first three years, the growth rate will keep a high level and trend to slow down after 2008. Domestic output of cold rolled and hot rolled sheets will increase substantially before 2006 and 2008 when over supply occurred in both market respectively. Cold rolled sheet production will sustain a certain level after 2007 while hot rolled output will rapidly gain after 2008.

NanJing Steel Group Coil Rolling Project Started Production on 18th Oct.(2004/10/21)
NanJing Steel Group’s coil rolling project with world class technology was put into production on 18th Oct. .The project can produce annually 1 million ton bonus middle and heavy steel plates, with the total investment of ￥3.381 billion Yuan. These products can meet needs of specialty industry and national defence and make important senses to cutting production level gap between Chinese heavy plates and developed countries’. 

MaSteel Developing New Standard 10 mm Bar(2004/10/18)
On 9th Oct. MaSteel no.2 steel plant has produced the first screw thread reinforcing steel bar with diameter of 10mm on continuous bar production line. So MaSteel has filled a blank of MaSteel bar production standards. No. 2 continuous bar production line with the total investment of 220 million Yuan was put into production on 24th Sep. and it mainly produces small round and screw thread reinforcing steel bar with diameter of 8-16mm.

SiChuan Great Wall Special Steel Company Expected Loss in 3rd Quarter(2004/10/18)
According to PanSteel group SiChuan great wall special Steel company expected loss bulletin, in 3rd quarter the amount of loss in the company is expected to be 10 million Yuan, and in Jan.-Sep. total amount of loss is 21 million Yuan. What’s more , the bulletin points out that in 3rd quarter the export prices of steel products present decreasing trend and average price fall ￥460 Yuan compared with that of last quarter; meanwhile, purchasing prices of raw materials increase rapidly. 

No.7 BF in Ironmaking Plant Anshan Steel Achieved Normal Production Ahead of Time(2004/10/18)
Since Oct 1, the daily production of No.7 Blast Furnace in Ironmaking General Plant in Anshan Steel has been maintaining beyond 5880 tons, marking this BF has achieved normal production ahead of time after its reformation was completed and put into operation. Furthermore, the fast achievement of normal production of No.7 BF indicates that Anshan Steel has reached the world’s advanced level in areas such as BF construction and BF operation technology.

Shagang 6.5 Million Tons Ironmaking And Steelmaking Project Commissioned(2004/10/15)
Shagang 6.5 million tons ironmaking and steelmaking project, ranked as an important project of the 10th five year plan of Jiangsu Province, commissioned In Oct 8th. It marks that Shagang 6.5 million tons of HR sheet project construction and product structure optimization has achieved break-through progress. 
At present, The total assets of Shagang is 24.7 billion yuan, and the annual production capacity is 9 million tons of iron, 13 million tons of steel and 12.5 million tons of products. According to Shen Wenrong, the board chairman and director of Shagang Group, in Jan-Sep this year Shagang has completed 2.61 million tons of iron, 4.83 million tons steel and 4.67 million tons of products, respectively up 230%, 38% and 12% from a year ago. Newly commissioned 6.5 million tons ironmaking and steelmaking project is important part of 6.5 million tons HR sheet project. Its overall technical equipment represents current international advanced level.

Baogang And Green Formed Household Appliance Steel Alliance(2004/10/14)
The largest Chinese air-condition manufacturer Zhuhai Gree Electric Appliance Group and the largest Chinese steelmaker Shanghai Baoshan Steel Group formally formed a strategic alliance, establishing the cooperation relationship in household appliance steel. From now on, Gree will be given priority to use Baogang produced steel under equal conditions, and in advance join in the development and innovation of household appliance steel of Baogang. And Baogang will give the priority to consider the demand of Gree and provide supply concession and safeguard. 
Baogang is reported to be the current largest household appliance steel supplier in domestic steel industry. Its products such as CR sheet, GI sheet, EG sheet, pickling sheet have been widely used in areas such as air-condition, refrigerator, washing machine, microwave oven, color TV, DVD and computer. The industry source point out, this strategic alliance by the appliance manufacturer and its upstream partner will bring out new changes to the relationship between the both parties along household appliance industry chain.

Taiyuan Steel Started Construction of 2250MM HR Project(2004/10/13)
Taiyuan Steel started working on the construction of a 1.5 million tons stainless program on September 26, marking the 2250MM hot rolled project shifting into a concrete implementation phase from early technology exchange, design and construction preparation stage.

5 millions High-grade Steel Plate Base in West of AnSteel Getting along Well(2004/10/13)
Now, the 5 millions high-grade steel plate base in West of AnSteel is under intense construction. At present, the workshop frame has been basically completed and the facilities of steel-making and continuous casting have been in the process of installation. 　
It’s known that the project has been started in Aug. 2003, including there 250 tons convertors 、two single-stand twin-flowing continuous casting mills and one 2150 HR production line. 

Hebei Wenfeng Commissioned New Strip Mill(2004/10/12)
China’s Hebei Wenfeng Iron and Steel Co. commissioned a new strip mill on October 8, with another one under construction. The mill will be trial operating in the next two months before commercial production.
The over 200 million yuan ($24 million) mill can produce 380-580mm wide and 2-6mm thick strip with annual capacity of 600,000 tons, mainly used for auto and welded pipe sectors. The current output, however is limited to only 400,000 tpy because of lack of plate availability, according an official from the company.

ShaSteel Sales Revenues Reaching above 20 billion Yuan in Jan-Sep.(2004/10/12)
In Jan-Sep. 2004 ShaSteel has achieved output of puddling 2.61 million tons、output of steel-making 4.83 million tons and rolled products 4.67 million tons. What’s more, during the period ShaSteel has realized sales revenue ￥20.8 billion Yuan and tax profits 1.95 billion Yuan, respectively up 47% and 65% compared with the same period of last year. 
Now ShaSteel has held overall assets ￥24.7 billion Yuan and its annual capacity of iron、steel and steel products is respectively 9 million tons、13 million and 12.5 million tons, up 230%３８% and１２％. 

Steel Products Export of Xiangtan Steel Totaled 320,000 Tons In Jan-Aug In 2004(2004/10/11)
The steel product export of Xiangtan Steel was 63,000 tons in Aug 2004 and totaled 321,000 tons in Jan-Aug. The foreign exchange earnings breached 110 million yuan, beyond the total amount of the whole last year.
In Aug, the sales income of single month breached 1 billion yuan for the first time and the profit tax.was 275 million yuan. In Jan-Aug, the achieved sales income totaled 6.7 billion yuan and the profit tax totaled 1.05 billion yuan, both beyond the total amount of the whole last year.

First Set of Color-Coated Production Line in ShanXi province Launched into Use in HanSteel(2004/10/11)
The first set of steel plate color-coated line in ShanXi province, developed by TaiYuan mine machine group company, was formally launched into use in HanSteel on 1st Oct. 

ShiSteel Entering Auto Steel Field(2004/10/10)
Auto turning shaft, the key part of domestic Toyota cars, is made up by ShiSteel steels. In Jan-Aug. 2004 ShiSteel have supplied 2000 tons steel to Toyota cars production lines, therefore becoming the sole domestic steel supplier of Toyota company. 

Tangshansteel Rolling 0.3mm Thinnest Coil(2004/10/09)
Tangshan & Steel’s single-stand reversing cold mill successfully produced 6-ton weight and 0.3mm thinnest low limit thick coil through five to-and-fro passes. The mill, introduced from French VAI.CLECIM is entering normal operation phase following 50 days commission and trial production. It rolled first cold rolled coil on July 28 2004.

TaiSteel 1.5 million tons Stainless Steel Project Started on 29TH Sep.(2004/10/08)
On 29th Sep. TaiYuan steel group 1.5 million tons stainless steel project would start working in TaiYuan of ShanXi on 29th Sep.. 
The total investment of the project is 16.578 billion Yuan; after completed TaiSteel will form 3 million tons stainless capacity and annual sales will reach ￥50 billion Yuan.