Steel Strip

If we think that steel price rises in Europe and North America are high, then spare a thought for South Africa, where things are worse.
The following is an extract from an article by Mathabo Le Roux, writing from Johannesburg.
STEEL users will have to brace for another hefty price hike - the fourth this year [...]

Global stainless steel production is still expected to reach a record level of 29 million tonnes this year. During the first quarter, most markets across the world have been quite soft. This was the result of unexpectedly large increases in steelmaking during the final trimester of 2007 in the EU and China.
These actions prompted us [...]

Is there any end to it?  Coking coal increasing scrap increasing!
 
The price of scrap metal, a key raw material for some steelmakers, has hit record highs and manufacturers are likely to impose steep surcharges to cover the extra costs, analysts said on Thursday.
The American Metal Market’s April scrap index rose $162 per ton to $555 [...]