Brussels, 20 March 2014 – World crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 125 million tonnes (Mt) in February 2014, an increase of 0.6% compared to February 2013.
China’s crude steel production for February 2014 was estimated at 62.1 Mt. The total production for January and February 2014 was 130.8 Mt with the estimate for January 2014 being revised upwards to 68.7 Mt. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.4 Mt of crude steel in February 2014, an increase of 1.4% over February 2013. South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.3 Mt in February 2014, up by 6.2% on February 2013.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.6 Mt of crude steel in February 2014, an increase of 4.2% compared to February 2013. Italy produced 2.2 Mt of crude steel, up by 3.6% compared to February 2013. France’s crude steel production was 1.2 Mt, a decrease of -3.9% on February 2013. Spain produced 1.2 Mt of crude steel, up by 10.2% compared to February 2013.
Turkey’s crude steel production for February 2014 was 2.7 Mt, up by 0.7% on February 2013.
In February 2014, Russia produced 5.3 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -3.1% compared to the same month 2013. Ukraine’s production was 2.3 Mt in February 2014, down by -10.7% on February 2013.
The US produced 6.7 Mt of crude steel in February 2014, down by -1.7% on February 2013.
Brazil’s crude steel production for February 2014 was 2.6 Mt, an increase of 1.2% compared to February 2013.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 65 countries in February 2014 was 77.6% and it is 2.0 percentage points lower than February 2013. Compared to January 2014, it is 0.7 percentage points higher.
Note:
• 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.