World crude steel production reached 1414 million metric tonnes (Mt) for the year 2010, according to the World Steel Association which represents 170 steel producers and accounts for 85% of world steel output.
This is an increase of 15% compared to 2009 and is a new record for global crude steel production.
All the major steel-producing countries and regions showed double-digit growth in 2010. The EU and North America had higher growth rates due to the lower base effect from 2009 while Asia and the CIS recorded relatively lower growth.
Annual production for Asia was 881.2Mt of crude steel in 2010, an increase of 11.8% compared to 2009. Its share of world steel production increased to 65.5% in 2010 from 63.5% in 2009.
China’s crude steel production in 2010 reached 626.7Mt, an increase of 9.3% on 2009. Its share of world crude steel production declined from 46.7% in 2009 to 44.3% in 2010. Japan produced 109.6Mt in 2009, 25.2% higher than 2009.
In a provisional estimate, India produced 66.8Mt up 6.4% on 2009. South Korea’s crude steel production was 58.5Mt, a 20.3% growth compared to 2009.
The EU recorded an increase of 24.5% compared to 2009, producing 172.9Mt of crude steel in 2010. However, crude steel production in the UK and Greece continued to decline in 2010.
In 2010, crude steel production in North America was 111.8Mt, an increase of 35.7% on 2009. The US produced 80.6Mt of crude steel, 38.5% higher than 2009.
The CIS showed an increase of 11.2% in 2010, producing 108.4Mt of crude steel. Russia produced 67Mt of this, an 11.7% increase on 2009 and Ukraine recorded an increase of 12.4% with a year-end figure of 33.6Mt.