Renewable energy use, low season, curbs on inflows, green drive factors.

The figure dropped by 1.4 percentage points from the previous quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

The institute has developed the 0.08mm ultra-thin grain-oriented silicon steel strip and iron core in collaboration with several other companies and institutes including China Iron & Steel Research Institute Group.

China's steel sector saw output expansion in the first quarter of the year, industrial data showed.

The curve is in a clear backwardation, with May trading on screen almost €50/t below the underlying Argus assessment, which stood at €834.25/t.

US exports to China totalled 439,924t in February, more than trebling compared with a year earlier.

Patrik Schober, a media representative of Tameh Czech, said negotiations are "under way" between the companies, but would not comment further.

Electric arc furnace (EAF) platemaker Nucor has increased its plate prices by $40/short ton (st).