2012 world steel output up 1.2% to 1.545bnt

The growth came mainly from Asia and North America while crude steel production in the EU(27) and South America decreased in 2012 compared to 2011.

Annual crude production for Asia was 1012.7Mt, an increase of 2.6% compared to 2011. The region’s share of world steel production increased slightly from 64.5% in 2011 to 65.4% in 2012. Of this China produced 716.5Mt, an increase of 3.1% on 2011. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 45.4% in 2011 to 46.3% in 2012. Japan produced 107.2 Mt in 2012, a -0.3% decrease from 2011 largely due to reduced exports to China of direct and indirect (automotive) steels. India produced an estimated 76.7Mt, a 4% increase on 2011, making it the world’s fourth largest producer. South Korea produced 69.3Mt of crude steel, a 1.2% increase compared to 2011.

The EU recorded a decrease of -4.7% compared to 2011, producing 169.4Mt in 2012. Of this, Germany produced 42.7Mt, a decrease of -3.7% on 2011. Italy produced 27.2Mt a -5.2% decrease over 2011. France’s crude steel production in 2012 was 15.6Mt, a fall of -1.1%. Spain produced 13.6Mt a -12.1% decrease on 2011. UK’s output was up 3% on 2011 producing 9.8Mt, but well down on the 14.3Mt produced in 2007 prior to the global slow-down.

In 2012, crude steel production in North America was 121.9Mt, an increase of 2.5% on 2011. Of this, US produced 88.6Mt of crude steel, 2.5% higher than 2011.

The CIS showed a decrease of -1.2% in 2012, producing 111.3Mt of crude steel. Russia produced 68.9Mt of crude steel, a 2.5% increase on 2011 and Ukraine recorded a decrease of -6.9% with a year-end figure of 32.9Mt.

Annual crude steel production for South America was 46.9Mt, a decrease of -3.0% on 2011. Brazil produced 34.7Mt, down by -1.5% compared to 2011.

For a full listing of output by country visit
http://www.worldsteel.org/statistics/crude-steel-production.html