POSCO's hot rolling mill resumed operation in October, but its annealing and pickling lines of stainless steel plants did not start simultaneously.

It was expected that POSCO's No.2 annealing line will resume in December. Therefore, at present, POSCO Zhangjiagang processes AP hot-rolled plates to maintain market supply. After the No.2 annealing line is put into operation, AP hot-rolled plates at 1000mm and 1219mm can be processed in South Korea locally.

In addition, POSCO's No.1 annealing line was expected to resume in early 2023, and then it can process hot-rolled plates at 1524mm.

Meanwhile, the LME nickel price has risen recently, and the market expected that there will be a great chance of a price-up in December. POSCO said that it will observe the trend of LME nickel and the offers of steel mills in various countries, and adjust its price flexibly.