August 29, 2008

Acepar stabilizes rebar output after mechanical failure

BNamericas reported that Paraguayan steelmaker Acepar has stabilized rebar production after a mechanical failure paralyzed part of its plant for nearly one month.

A sector official told BNamericas that "In addition to that, the company had problems last year with the supply of raw materials because of low water levels on the Paraguay river. It was a string of events.”

The steelmaker requires some 20,000 tonne per month of iron ore or nearly 250,000 tonne per year. Each boat that arrives normally carries 10,000 to 12,000 tonnes of iron ore to the steel factory. Shipments had fallen to 5,000 to 6,000 tonne per load because of the low water level.

The official said that “The situation put the brakes on several construction works throughout the country since no other companies in Paraguay produce the same types of products as Acepar.”