Acciai Speciali Terni (AST), a stainless steel manufacturer in Italy, will implement a 20-day suspension of its production for the Christmas holiday break, mainly due to a long-term decline in orders and higher energy and raw material costs that the company must bear than its rivals.

Italian steel companies’ profits and output are being affected by economic uncertainty and weak orders. The local trade association Assofermet warned last month that the current demand remains sluggish while processing costs are increasing.