Overview
- ArcelorMittal Acindar stopped laminate production at its Villa Constitución plant from Monday through Friday this week.
- A previously agreed suspension plan paying roughly 75% of wages is reactivated through December, and union representatives say close to 90% of about 900 workers will be suspended on 75%–80% pay.
- The company says the stoppage currently applies only to the Santa Fe facility but indicates similar pauses may recur toward year-end and could be applied at other plants if needed.
- Output fell to about 600,000 tonnes in 2024, roughly half of 2023’s 1.2 million tonnes, and sources report operations have been near 50% of installed capacity since last year.
- Management and industry sources cite weak domestic demand—especially in construction and manufacturing—along with rising import pressure from China and Brazil, with sector data showing a June crude steel drop of 8.6% month on month.