Indian steelmaker JSW Steel's JSW Ispat Special Products Limited (JISPL) has extended a maintenance shutdown of its blast furnace and other operations at its plant at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh state.
The company had earlier brought forward the maintenance of its sinter unit and steel melt shop (SMS) at the 950,000t/yr plant, two furnaces of ferro-alloys and SMS to 21 June. The shutdown was to last 25 days, but has now been extended. JISPL did not specify how long the extended maintenance would last.
The company began the shutdown last month after the Indian government imposed a 15pc export tax on several steel products.
Sluggish domestic demand and the new export duties have stoked concerns of excessive supply in the domestic market. Steel mills are likely to cut production and begin maintenance activities earlier in an effort to balance the market.
