ArcelorMittal (MT) Buys Italpannelli's Italy & Spain-Based Units

Group 1: Acquisition Details - ArcelorMittal Construction has completed the acquisition of Italpannelli SRL in Italy and Italpannelli Iberica in Spain, marking its second acquisition of Italpannelli businesses after purchasing Italpannelli Germany in March 2023 [1] - Italpannelli specializes in manufacturing lightweight insulation panels for roofs and facades, operating two production units in Zaragoza, Spain, and Abruzzo, Italy, with a total annual capacity of 13 million m² of sandwich panels [1] Group 2: Strategic Value and Market Impact - The acquisition enhances ArcelorMittal's panel business capabilities, allowing entry into new markets and expanding its product portfolio to include long span decking with PVC membrane, section doors, and various sandwich panels [2] - The company has identified notable synergies, efficiency gains, and cost benefits from the acquisition [2] Group 3: Market Performance and Projections - ArcelorMittal's shares have increased by 4.1% over the past six months, outperforming its industry, which saw a decline of 3.3% [2] - The company projects a 3-4% growth in global steel consumption, excluding China, for 2024, with specific increases expected in the United States (1.5-3.5%), Europe (2-4%), Brazil (0.5-2.5%), and India (6.5-8.5%) [2] Group 4: Long-term Outlook - The company remains optimistic about medium to long-term steel demand and is confident in executing its growth strategy while providing capital returns to shareholders [3]