Tata to halt production for five weeks at plants amid drop in demand

Steel UK assets.

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“We shall also be working closely with suppliers and customers to make the necessary arrangements to ensure supply where required during this period.

“I understand that people may be worried about the ongoing impact of lower demand on our business, but I hope you will appreciate that we are making timely interventions to responsibly adapt to current market challenges”

‘The stoppages will start at the Llanwern pickle line on November 27 and run to December 5. For Trostre, it will run from December 1 to January 8, and for Port Talbot from December 8 to January 8.

In the past, Tata was unable to switch off its blast furnaces - needed to make primary steel. As part of a £1.2bn investment, Tata has commenced work on an electric arc furnace, which will make steel from scrap. It is scheduled to become operational in late 2027. In the interim, Tata will import slab and rolled coil substrate from its primary steel operations in India and the Netherlands.

Last week Mr Nair urged UK Government ministers to safeguard the domestic market after the EU announced plans to impose 50% tariffs on steel - double the current level of 25% - while cutting tariff-free import volumes to 18.3 million tonnes a year, a 47% reduction.