Brussels, 21 April 2015 – World crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 138 million tonnes (Mt) in March 2015, a -2.7% decrease compared to March 2014.
In the first three months of 2015, Asia produced 272.0 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -1.1% over the first quarter of 2014. The EU produced 43.7 Mt of crude steel in the first quarter of 2015, slightly down by -0.6% compared to the same quarter of 2014. North America’s crude steel production in the first three months of 2015 was 28.1 Mt, a decrease of -6.4% compared to the first quarter of 2014. The C.I.S. produced 24.8 Mt of crude steel in the first three months of 2015, a decrease of -5.9% over the same months of 2014.
China’s crude steel production for March 2015 was 69.5 Mt, a -1.2% decrease compared to March 2014. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.3 Mt of crude steel in March 2015, a decrease of -4.5% compared to March 2014.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.9 Mt of crude steel in March 2015, a decrease of -4.4% compared to March 2014. Italy produced 2.1 Mt of crude steel, down by -9.8% on March 2014. France’s crude steel production was 1.4 Mt, an increase of 3.0% compared to March 2014.
Turkey’s crude steel production for March 2015 was 2.8 Mt, down by -4.1% on March 2014.
The US produced 6.6 Mt of crude steel in March 2015, a decrease of -12.7% compared to March 2014.
Brazil’s crude steel production for March 2015 was 2.8 Mt, down by -7.4% on March 2014.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 65 countries in March 2015 was 71.6%. It is -4 percentage points lower than March 2014. Compared to February 2015, it is -1.8 percentage points lower.
- 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 9 of the world’s 10 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members represent around 85% of world steel production.
- 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.
- Megatonne (Mt) is a metric unit equivalent to 1 million tonnes.