Stainless steel sector fighting back

The event at Cutlers' Hall will hear latest industry statistics on demand for stainless steel and its raw materials from German firm Heinz Pariser Alloy Metals and Steel Market Research.

Director Gerhard Pariser told the Yorkshire Post: "In 2008 and 2009 our mature markets like the US, Europe and Japan were really hit hard by the crisis.

"As a consequence, stainless steel demand dropped very sharply, with declines of more than 20 per cent year on year.

"We expecting this year to have a very strong recovery but not necessarily to levels we are used to. What we are seeing is a very positive first quarter in Europe and the US and a very good positive outlook for orders in the second quarter."

Mr Pariser said some producers were unsure about how the second half of the year might pan out, as the upturn in activity in the first two quarters was in part due to restocking. Nigel Ward, director of the BSSA, said: "Everyone expects 2010 to be better but how much better is clearly still uncertain. Long term, we think the future for stainless steel is pretty good. How quickly the UK and other markets pick up is open for debate."

Around one quarter of the BSSA's 140 members are based in Yorkshire.