Steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa (AMSA) announced in late November that it would increase prices on flat- and long-steel products from December 1 – a move it attributed to market movements, rising input costs and the need to staunch losses at its Vanderbijlpark Works.

The group outlined the following increases for flat-steel products: a 10.2% increase on hot-rolled coil (HRC), 7% on plate, 9.8% for cold-rolled coil (CRC), 9.3% on galvanised steel and 4.3% for colour-coated steel.

The long steel increases announced included: 6.9% on reinforcing bar, including smooth and mining bar; 6.9% for wire rod, mesh bar, bolt, nut, grinding media and rounds; a 4.7% increase on rails; and a 5% increase on medium sections, including windows and fencing.

Chief marketing officer Alph Ngapo said the adjustments followed a monthly price review and were in line with the fair pricing principles applicable to flat products, which were currently being finalised with the South Africa government.

“Significant increases have been experienced since June in the international prices of raw materials. The prices of iron-ore and coking coal have increased by 54% and 243% respectively, which has led to an international raw material basket increase of 98%, exerting upward pressure on international steel prices.”

Ngapo added that Chinese HRC had increased by 38% over the same period and rebar by 35%. “The spread between the raw material basket and that of the steel price (the gap available for conversion costs and margin), has come down to unsustainable levels from $158/t to $102/t internationally in the case of HRC.”

He stressed, therefore, that the decision to increase prices was not based on recent duties imposed on steel imports.

AMSA applied for, and subsequently received, 10% protection on bar and wire rod, as well as plate, CRC, sections, and semi-finished products such as slabs, blooms and billets, HRC and other steel bars and rods.

It had also applied to the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa for additional safeguard duties on HRC and CRC, which could be implemented over and above the 10% protection already imposed.

The move to increase protection for the primary-steel sector is being opposed by some downstream steel users, who warn that it could lead to the closure of businesses and the loss of jobs.

Ngapo said the impact of the decision had been considered, but AMSA had “no option” but to respond to the market circumstances and rising costs to ensure the sustainability of the organisation.

“ArcelorMittal South Africa appreciates progress made with government on a number of key initiatives which are intended to protect the local steel sector. However, the company’s Vanderbijlpark Works continues to face sustainability pressure, despite a turnaround strategy which is being implemented at the operation.”

In another development, the Competition Tribunal confirmed a settlement agreement between AMSA and the Competition Commission, in which the company agreed to pay a R1.5-billion fine for its participation in long-steel and scrap-metal cartels.

As part of the settlement, AMSA also agreed to a pricing remedy to address competition concerns relating to its pricing policy. In this regard, AMSA undertook that, for five years, it would limit its earnings before interest and tax margin to a cap of 10% for flat-steel products sold in South Africa.

In addition, AMSA committed to a R4.6-billion capital expenditure over the same period.

The tribunal approved the settlement subject to the inclusion of a new undertaking not included in the commissions’ settlement. Under the revised terms, AMSA agreed “to engage in any future exchange with government departments and interested stakeholders regarding the promotion of steel imports, including risks of antidumping duties on such exports, in an open and transparent manner, subject always to compliance with the Competition Act”.

Empowerment Deal
Separately, shareholders AMSA voted on in favour of a R2.2-billion broad-based black economic-empowerment transaction, involving Likamva Resources. The approval was carried by 99.9% of the shares that were eligible to vote.

The deal will see Likamva initially hold a 17% stake in AMSA through notionally funded shares, issued by AMSA to the value of R1.75-billion.

Likamva, which is led by former National Planning Commission member Noluthando Gosa, is required, within 24 months, to introduce broad-based participants, drawn primarily from the communities in which AMSA’s operations are located. Thereafter, Likamva’s shareholding will be reduced to 12% and the broad-based participants will hold 5%.

In addition, a newly established AMSA Employee Empowerment Share Trust will acquire a 5.1% shareholding in the company through notionally funded shares valued at about R525-million. The new employee share scheme is in addition to the existing Ikageng Employee Share Option Scheme, introduced in 2015.

CEO Wim de Klerk said the transaction would help advance the group’s transformation objectives, while the inclusion of employee community shareholders would help make the transaction “broad-based and inclusive”.