Brussels - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 109 million metric tons (mmt) in January. This is 25.5% higher than January 2009.
China’s crude steel production for January 2010 was 48.7 mmt, an increase of 18.2% on January 2009 (see notes to editors). Japan produced 8.7 mmt of crude steel in January 2010, up 36.8% compared to the same month last year. South Korea showed an increase of 32.4% from January 2009, producing 4.5 mmt of crude steel in January 2010.
In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for January 2010 was 3.4 mmt, an increase of 27.7% compared to January 2009. Spain produced 1.4 mmt of crude steel in January 2010, an increase of 51.1% on January 2009. France’s crude steel production was 1.1 mmt, up 32.3% compared to the same month last year.
Turkey produced 2.1 mmt of crude steel in January 2010, a 2% increase over the same month in 2009.
The US produced 6.1 mmt of crude steel in January 2010, an increase of 48.8% compared to January 2009.
Brazilian crude steel production was 2.7 mmt, 66.6% higher than January 2009.
Russia produced 5.2 mmt of crude steel in January 2010, an increase of 33% on January 2009. Ukraine’s crude steel production for January 2010 was 2.7 mmt, 28.4% higher than the same month last year.
Australia produced 0.6 mmt of crude steel in January 2010, recording a 38.6% increase over the same month in 2009.
The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in January 2010 was 72.9%, an increase from 71.9% in December 2009. Compared to January 2009, the utilisation ratio in January 2010 increased by 11.6 percentage points.
Notes to Editors:
• The January 2010 crude steel production figures for many countries were not available at the time of this release, thus exceptionally, this month’s statistics include more estimates than usual. These estimates will be updated in March. No countries with estimate figures have been included in this press release.
• In the absence of official data from the Chinese government this month’s China data comes from the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).
• 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 180 steel producers (including 19 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.
Source: Worldsteel website -
