Brussels, 22 April 2013 – World crude steel production for the 63 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 135 million tonnes (Mt) in March 2013, an increase of 1.0% compared to March 2012.
In the first three months of 2013, Asia produced 259.8 Mt of crude steel, an increase of 6.4% over the first quarter of 2012. The EU produced 41.5 Mt of crude steel in the first quarter of 2013, down by -5.4% compared to the same quarter of 2012. North America’s crude steel production in the first three months of 2013 was 29.7 Mt, a decrease of -5.7% compared to the first quarter of 2012.
China’s crude steel production for March 2013 was 66.3 Mt, up by 6.6% compared to March 2012. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.4 Mt of crude steel in March 2013, up by 1.3% compared to the same month last year. In March 2013, South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.7 Mt, down by -7.0% over March 2012.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.8 Mt of crude steel in March 2013, a decrease of -2.2% on March 2012. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.2 Mt, down by -18.4% compared to March 2012. Spain produced 1.3 Mt of crude steel, -2.3% lower than March 2012. France’s crude steel production was 1.3 Mt, a decrease of -9.6% on March 2012.
Turkey’s crude steel production for March 2013 was 3.0 Mt, down by -4.6% compared to March 2012.
The US produced 7.3 Mt of crude steel in March 2013, down by -8.4% on March 2012.
In March 2013, Russia produced 6.0 Mt of crude steel, a decrease of -2.8% compared to the same month last year. Ukraine’s crude steel production for March 2013 was 2.9 Mt, -2.9% less than March 2012.
Brazil produced 2.9 Mt of crude steel production in March 2013, a decrease of -7.6% compared to the same month last year.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 63 countries in March 2013 slid to 79.4% from 80.5% in February 2013. Compared to March 2012, it is -2.1 percentage points lower.
• 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 16 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.