In a statement, the company said there has been a slowly increasing need for higher-end grades in the automotive, electrical and steel processing sectors. 

“The first signs of recovery are also evident in the mechanical engineering and energy segments, for which the site in Linz also produces high-quality steel products,” the company said. 

voestalpine idled the furnace in March as demand cratered due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Together with the two other blast furnaces at the site, the restart of the small blast furnace brings steel production back up to almost normal levels, after capacity was throttled back following COVID-19,” the company said.