World crude steel output decreases by -2.8% in 2015

Brussels, 25 January 2016 – World crude steel production reached 1,622.8 million tonnes (Mt) for the year 2015, down by -2.8% compared to 2014. Crude steel production decreased in all regions except Oceania in 2015.

Annual production for Asia was 1,113.8 Mt of crude steel in 2015, a decrease of -2.3% compared to 2014. China’s crude steel production in 2015 reached 803.8 Mt, down by -2.3% on 2014. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 49.3% in 2014 to 49.5% in 2015. Japan produced 105.2 Mt in 2015, down by -5.0% compared to 2014. India’s crude steel production for 2015 was 89.6 Mt, up by 2.6% on 2014. South Korea produced 69.7 Mt of crude steel in 2015, a decrease of -2.6% compared to 2014.

In 2015, the EU (28) produced 166.2 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -1.8% compared to 2014. Germany produced 42.7 Mt of crude steel in 2015, down by -0.6% over 2014. Italy produced 22.0 Mt in 2015, a decrease of -7.1% over 2014. France’s crude steel production in 2015 was 15.0 Mt, down by -7.2%. Spain produced 14.9 Mt of crude steel in 2015, an increase of 4.4% compared to 2014.

Crude steel production for 2015 in North America was 110.7 Mt, a decrease of -8.6% compared to 2014. The US produced 78.9 Mt of crude steel, down by -10.5% on 2014.

The CIS showed a decrease of -4.3% in 2015, producing 101.5 Mt of crude steel. Russia* produced 71.1 Mt of crude steel, down by -0.5% on 2014 and Ukraine* recorded a decrease of -15.6% with a year-end figure of 22.9 Mt.

Annual crude steel production for South America was 43.9 Mt in 2015, a decrease of -2.5% on 2014. Brazil produced 33.2 Mt in 2015, down by -1.9% compared to 2014.

In December 2015, world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 126.7 Mt, a decrease of -5.7% compared to December 2014. The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in December 2015 was 64.6%. This is -4.9 percentage points lower than December 2014. The average capacity utilisation in 2015 was 69.7% compared to 73.4% in 2014.

worldsteellogo• 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 total annual global and regional production figures in this press release includes estimates of other countries that only report annually. The monthly crude steel statistics available on worldsteel.org every month show figures from the 66 countries reporting to worldsteel on a monthly basis.

• The monthly crude steel capacity utilisation ratio is calculated based on crude steel production information available at worldsteel, publically-available capacity information and OECD capacity estimates.

• * December production figures for Russia and Ukraine have not been confirmed, thus their annual production figures are estimates.

• Megatonne (Mt) is a metric unit equivalent to 1 million tonnes.

• The attached PDF file contains a summary of world crude steel production by region from 2014 to 2015, a list of the largest steel producing countries 2015 and December 2015 production figures.

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