Railways

Markets reported no price changes in HRC and CRC compared to the previous day in a few geographical locations. India’s HRC demand is expected to remain strong in the medium term, but short-term consumption is limited due to cautious buyer sentiment.

ADC12 aluminum alloy prices held steady near RMB 20,800–21,000/t as pre-holiday buying faded and inventories rose sharply. Scrap supply remains tight, supporting costs, while extended downstream holidays and weak die-casting demand limit consumption. Import losses widen, and silicon metal supply growth adds pressure, keeping near-term prices largely range-bound.

Indian PET prices steadied at ₹88/kg by late September, while China PET bottle chip prices rebounded slightly to 5,900 RMB/ton after early-month weakness. Oversupply and weak downstream demand keep market activity muted. Falling crude oil and PTA costs weigh on margins, limiting the scope for a sustained price recovery.

Ductile Iron (DI) and Mild Steel (MS/ERW) pipe prices remain steady, with DI up to 150 mm at ₹67/kg and MS primary at ₹57–58/kg. October demand is projected 8–15% above September levels as delayed projects resume. Supply is adequate but specialty ERW grades and large diameters may face localized tightness.

TMT steel prices remain stable across regions, with Ex-Mumbai at ₹46,500–47,000/ton, Ex-Delhi NCR at ₹47,000–47,500/ton, and Ex-Vizag at ₹44,000–44,500/ton. Weak seasonal demand keeps sellers cautious, while distributors maintain steady inventories. Shree TMT earns a 5-Star Green Steel Certificate, reinforcing sustainability leadership despite subdued market activity.

Polypropylene (PP) prices in India remained flat at the end of September despite seasonal demand pickup. Abundant supply, steady-to-soft upstream costs, and cautious downstream buying continue to weigh on the market. While certain grades see stable retail prices, the overall market remains under pressure with limited bullish triggers.

The stainless steel trade shows mixed signals. Nickel hovers at $15,325/t and copper at $9,964/t, while 304 CR wider 2B retails near ₹200–205/kg. Domestic demand is soft in the 300 series but stronger in the 200 and 400 series. Global tariffs are prompting order delays, and EU import-control measures may tighten in October.

Zinc futures traded range-bound on 24 Sep. LME prices closed at $2,889.4/mt after touching $2,904.5/mt, while MCX October futures eased 0.05% to ₹281.70/kg on subdued demand. Mixed global sentiment, steady LME stocks near 50,525 t, and supply-risk monitoring kept the market cautious.

Indian steel prices are under pressure due to weaker raw material imports, though domestic production is shifting geographically. While import volumes are declining, cumulative figures remain high, suggesting continued reliance on overseas supply. Domestic production is down overall, but gains in secondary hubs are offsetting drops in key states like Odisha.