Production of stainless steel in China totalled 3.43Mt on a crude basis in Q1 2012, up 12% y-o-y, according to the Stainless Steel Council of China Special Steel Enterprises Association.
Output of 200 series grade surged by 53% y-o-y in Q1, that of 400 series increased by 12%, while that of 300 series slipped by 0.2%.
In Q1, China’s apparent consumption of stainless steel rose 12% y-o-y to 2.77Mt. Exports of stainless steel products dipping 2% to 451.7kt and imports fell 12% to 198.2kt.
Source: China Metals e-mail [email protected]