Brussels, 20 February 2013 – World crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 125 million tonnes (Mt) in January 2013, a slight increase of 0.8% compared to January 2012.
China’s crude steel production for January 2013 was 59.3 Mt, up by 4.6% compared to January 2012. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.9 Mt of crude steel in January 2013, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.8 Mt in January 2013, -0.4% lower than January 2012.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.6 Mt of crude steel in January 2013, an increase of 5.4% on January 2012. Italy’s crude steel production was 1.8 Mt, down by -19.7% compared to January 2012. France’s crude steel production was 1.4 Mt, down by -1.3% on January 2012. Spain produced 1.1 Mt of crude steel, -2.5% lower than January 2012.
Turkey’s crude steel production for January 2013 was 2.9 Mt, a decrease of -8.8% compared to January 2012.
In January 2013, Russia produced 5.7 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -5.7% compared to the same month last year. Ukraine’s crude steel production for January 2013 was 2.7 Mt, -4.4% less than January 2012.
The US produced 7.3 Mt of crude steel in January 2013, down by -5.8% on January 2012.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 62 countries in January 2013 declined to 71.2% from 73.2% in December 2012. Compared to January 2012, it is 5.5 percentage points lower.
• The monthly crude steel capacity utilisation ratio is calculated based on crude steel production and capacity information available at worldsteel. The capacity information is based on publicly-available data, updated twice a year and verified through worldsteel’s membership.
• The World Steel Association (worldsteel) is one of the largest and most dynamic industry associations in the world. worldsteel represents approximately 170 steel producers (including 16 of the world’s 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members represent around 85% of world steel production.