Brussels, 23 February 2016 – World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 128 million tonnes (Mt) in January 2016, a -7.1% decrease compared to January 2015.
China’s* crude steel production for January 2016 was 63.2 Mt, a decrease of -7.8% compared to January 2015. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.8 Mt of crude steel in January 2016, a decrease of -2.8% compared to January 2015. India’s crude steel production was 7.4 Mt, a decrease of -1.2% compared to January 2015. South Korea produced 5.7 Mt of crude steel in January 2016, down by -4.5% on January 2015.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.6 Mt of crude steel in January 2016, a decrease of -2.0% compared to January 2015. Italy produced 1.8 Mt of crude steel, down by –5.3% on January 2015. Spain produced 1.2 Mt of crude steel, down by -9.5% compared to January 2015.
Turkey’s crude steel production for January 2016 was 2.6 Mt, up by 0.8% on January 2015.
In January 2016, Russia produced 5.6 Mt of crude steel, down by -10.6% over January 2015. Ukraine produced 1.9 Mt of crude steel, up by -3.6% compared to the same month 2015.
The US produced 6.6Mt of crude steel in January 2016, a decrease of -8.8% compared to January 2015.
Brazil’s crude steel production for January 2016 was 2.5 Mt, down by -17.9% on January 2015.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in January 2016 was 66.0%. This is -5.8 percentage points lower than January 2015. Compared to December 2015, it is 0.8 percentage point higher.
• 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 monthly crude steel capacity utilisation ratio is calculated based on crude steel production information available at worldsteel and OECD capacity estimates.
• * China’s January production figure is an estimate provided by CISA.