Argentina-based steel producer Acindar, controlled by ArcelorMittal, moved forward its annual maintenance at its Villa Constitución plant planned for early January and halted production. This schedule change reflects the lower consumption in the country, according to local media reports.
Pablo González, general secretary of the Metalworkers’ Union (UOM) has stated that Acindar produced 600.000 mt of steel this year against 1.2 million mt capacity, recording one of the worst years in its history and operating at half capacity throughout 2024. According to González, the drop in production results from the weaker consumption in industrial and construction sectors, which posted 12.4 percent and 19.5 percent declines respectively in the first nine months this year.
Sources from the company reported that the plant will resume production on January 6. However, the measure taken at the Villa Constitución plant may also be implemented at the company’s four other plants in Argentina.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, the company stopped production two other times in 2024, in February and in June.