<article><p class="lead">Offers for hot-rolled coil (HRC) from Liberty's Romanian asset in Galati have been increased to €1,000/t ex-works for April delivery, effective from 28 February.</p><p>Official offers were €900-920/t ex-works up to 24 February. The new price is underpinned by increasing input and energy costs, and based on an immediate payment basis. Cold-rolled coil, hot-dipped galvanised and organic coated steel prices will be adjusted accordingly, Liberty said.</p><p>European producers and importers on 24 February withdrew offers from the market, following uncertainty about raw materials, semi-finished and finished steel supplies out of the CIS. Surging energy prices further prompted steel producers to stay out of the market, as they evaluated the impact on production costs.</p><p>Market participants were bracing for widespread price increases, especially in Europe, which is more exposed to disruptions in CIS supplies. </p><p class="bylines">By Lora Stoyanova</p></article>
