Gerdau S.A. (Gerdau), one of the largest steelmakers in Brazil, announced that it will suspend production at its Araucária unit from May 31 this year.

Located in the Brazilian state of Paraná, the Araucária plant has an annual production capacity of 420,000 tons. The plant was previously idled for seven years starting in 2014 but resumed operations in September 2021 due to improved market conditions.

However, after working for less than two years, a new hibernation will start again at the end of this month.