Brussels, 20 March 2015 – World crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 128 million tonnes (Mt) in February 2015, a 0.6% increase compared to February 2014.
China’s crude steel production for February 2015 was estimated at 65.0 Mt. The total production for January and February 2015 in China has been confirmed at 130.5 Mt. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.4 Mt of crude steel in February 2015, a decrease of -0.2% compared to February 2014. South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.1 Mt, down by -4.4% on February 2014.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.5 Mt of crude steel in February 2015, a decrease of -1.6% compared to February 2014. Italy produced 2.0 Mt of crude steel, down by -9.7% on February 2014. France’s crude steel production was 1.3 Mt, a decrease of -1.6% compared to February 2014. Spain produced 1.1 Mt of crude steel, down by -4.4% compared to February 2014.
Turkey’s crude steel production for February 2015 was 2.4 Mt, down by -12.2% on February 2014.
In February 2015, Russia produced 5.7 Mt of crude steel, up by 5.6% over February 2014. Ukraine produced 1.6 Mt of crude steel, down by -33.2% compared to the same month 2014.
The US produced 6.3 Mt of crude steel in February 2015, a decrease of -7.9% compared to February 2014.
Brazil’s crude steel production for February 2015 was 2.7 Mt, up by 2.3% on February 2014.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 65 countries in February 2015 was 73.4%. It is -1.7 percentage points lower than February 2014. Compared to January 2015, it is 3.8 percentage points higher.
• 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. All capacity ratio figures in this month’s graph have been adjusted with China’s updated capacity data provided by CISA.
• 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.
• Megatonne (Mt) is a metric unit equivalent to 1 million tonnes.