Platts to launch US hot-dip galvanized steel price, change frequency

Following market feedback, S&P Global Platts has decided to start publishing a new US hot-dip galvanized steel base price and change the methodology to the existing price index, effective April 1, 2020.

Platts has also decided to increase the frequency of its US HDG price to daily from weekly.

The new daily price will be reflective of HDG coil of new manufacture. Chemical and mechanical tolerances are based on ASTM A 653, CS Type B, excluding zinc-based coating weight extra. The price will be assessed as a volume weighted average, according to the TSI index methodology.

The new price will be reflective of a minimum order size of 100 st for coil with minimum thickness of 0.028" and a width of 46-72". Delivery time would be between 4-12 weeks with payment terms net 30 days after delivery.

Platts originally proposed that the new price would be 16 gauge coil (0.06" minimum) with a width of 48-72" in line with the existing index's specifications. The relevant subscriber note could be found here: www.spglobal.com

No changes will be made to the existing index specifications.

The current index will be renamed to Platts TSI US HDG EXW Indiana, incl. G90 (SB01123) while the new index will be named Platts TSI US HDG EXW Indiana.

As part of this project, Platts will calculate on a daily basis the existing HDG EXW Indiana (SB01123), as a sum of the new US HDG base index and a fixed addition based on current market extras typically applied in the industry for a G90 coating weight.

Both existing and the new prices will be published in the Steel Business Briefing, Steel Price Report and Steel Markets Daily, on the Platts real-time metals alert on fixed page PMA3942, in the Platts Market Center and in the Platts price database.

Please submit any feedback, comments or questions about this proposal to PL_Americas_Metals@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.