Brussels, 21 October 2013 – World crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 133 million tonnes (Mt) in September 2013, an increase of 6.1% compared to September 2012.
World crude steel production for the 65 reporting countries was 1,186 Mt in the first nine months of 2013, an increase of 2.7% compared to the same months of 2012. Asia produced 795.1 Mt of crude steel in the first three quarters of 2013, an increase of 5.9% compared to the same period of 2012. The EU produced 123.8 Mt of crude steel in the first nine months of 2013, down by -4.2% on the same months of 2012. North America’s crude steel production in the first three quarters of 2013 was 88.9 Mt, a decrease of -4.1% compared to the same period of 2012. The C.I.S produced 81.5 Mt of crude steel in the first nine months of 2013, down by -3.4% on the same months of 2012. South America produced 34.8 Mt of crude steel production in the first three quarters of 2013, down by -1.2% compared to the same period of 2012.
China’s crude steel production for September 2013 was 65.4 Mt, up by 11.0% compared to September 2012. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.3Mt of crude steel in September 2013, an increase of 5.5% over September 2012. South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.2 Mt in September 2013, down by -8.7% on September 2012.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.6 Mt of crude steel in September 2013, an increase of 1.4% compared to September 2012. Italy produced 2.1 Mt of crude steel, -10.4% less compared to September 2012. France’s crude steel production was 1.4 Mt, up by 7.4% on September 2012. Spain’s production was 1.3 Mt, an increase of 5.9% on 2012 September.
Turkey’s crude steel production for September 2013 was 3.0 Mt, down by -1.2% on September 2012.
The US produced 7.2 Mt of crude steel in September 2013, up by 6.3% compared to September 2012.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 65 countries in September 2013 was 79.3% and it is 2.1 percentage points higher compared to September 2012. It is 3.4 percentage points higher than August 2013.
• 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 17 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.
• Megatonne (Mt) is a metric unit equivalent to 1 million tonnes.
• The 65 countries now include the United Arab Emirates.