* CEO sees dividend stable at 0.75 eur/shr

* 2013 operating margin target remains extremely challenging

* Norway problems seen delaying start-up by 6-9 months

(Adds comments on investments, margin target, Norway)

LEOBEN, Austria, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Austrian fireproof materials maker RHI RHIV.VI aims to keep its 2013 dividend stable in the face of ongoing problems in the steel industry, its main target market, its chief executive said.

"Naturally, no decisions have been made but I expect the dividend to remain where it is currently," CEO Franz Struzl told journalists during a visit to the company's plant in Leoben, Austria, in remarks embargoed for Tuesday.

The $500 billion global steel industry, a gauge of economic health, has suffered from a drop in demand in Europe and chronic overcapacity there and in China.

"As long as overcapacities are not reduced it will remain turbulent," said Struzl, whose company makes materials used in high-temperature refractories for steel and cement makers.

Struzl reiterated that reaching RHI's target of keeping its underlying operating margin at 9 percent this year would be "extremely challenging".

He said technical problems at a new plant in Norway had now been resolved but would delay start-up by six to nine months.

RHI shares were up 0.4 percent to 24.46 euros by 0748 GMT, outperforming the European basic resources index .SXPP , which was down 0.7 percent.

(Reporting by Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich; writing by Georgina Prodhan; editing by Louise Heavens)

((georgina.prodhan@thomsonreuters.com)(+431 5311 2256)(Reuters Messaging: georgina.prodhan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRIA RHI/OUTLOOK