Worldsteel Brussels, 21 March 2016 – World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 120 million tonnes (Mt) in February 2016, a -3.3% decrease compared to February 2015.
China’s* crude steel production for February 2016 was 58.5 Mt, a decrease of -4.0% compared to February 2015. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.4 Mt of crude steel in February 2016, a decrease of -1.0% compared to February 2015.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.4 Mt of crude steel in February 2016, a decrease of -4.3% compared to February 2015. Italy produced 1.9 Mt of crude steel, down by –2.1% on February 2015. France’s crude steel production for February 2016 was 1.3 Mt, up by 2.6% compared to the same month in 2015. Spain produced 1.1 Mt of crude steel, down by -8.9% compared to February 2015.
Turkey’s crude steel production for February 2016 was 2.4 Mt, up by 4.0% on February 2015.
In February 2016, Russia produced 5.7 Mt of crude steel, down by -2.7% over February 2015. Ukraine produced 2.0 Mt of crude steel, up by 24.1% compared to the same month in 2015.
The US produced 6.4 Mt of crude steel in February 2016, an increase of 2.9% compared to February 2015.
Brazil’s crude steel production for February 2016 was 2.4 Mt, down by -8.7% on February 2015.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in February 2016 was 66.2%. This is -5.7 percentage points lower than February 2015. Compared to January 2016, it is 0.9 percentage points higher.
• The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel members represent approximately 85% of the world’s steel production, including over 150 steel producers with 9 of the 10 largest steel companies, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes.
• The monthly crude steel capacity utilisation ratio is calculated based on crude steel production information available at worldsteel and OECD capacity estimates.
• * China’s February production figure is a worldsteel estimate based on the January and February production total provided by CISA.