Brussels, 20 June 2013 – World crude steel production for the 63 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 136 million tonnes (Mt) in May 2013, an increase of 2.6% compared to May 2012.
China’s crude steel production for May 2013 was 67.0 Mt, up by 7.3% compared to May 2012. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.6 Mt of crude steel in May 2013, an increase of 4.3% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.5 Mt in May 2013, down by -7.1% on May 2012.
In the EU, Germany produced 3.7 Mt of crude steel in May 2013, a decrease of -1.5% compared to May 2012. Italy’s crude steel production was 2.3 Mt, down by -11.1% on May 2012. France’s crude steel production was 1.4 Mt, -3.5% less than May 2012. Spain produced 1.4 Mt of crude steel, an increase of 4.3% compared to May 2012.
Turkey’s crude steel production for May 2013 was 3.0 Mt, a decrease of -2.0% compared to May 2012.
In May 2013, Russia produced 6.1 Mt of crude steel, a slight increase of 0.2% compared to the same month last year. Ukraine’s crude steel production for May 2013 was 2.8 Mt, -6.5% less than May 2012.
The US produced 7.5 Mt of crude steel in May 2013, down by -4.9% on May 2012.
In May 2013, Brazil produced 3.0 Mt of crude steel production, up by 5.5% compared to May 2012.
The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 63 countries in May 2013 remained nearly unchanged at 79.6% compared to 80.0% in April 2013. Compared to May 2012, it is -0.9 percentage points lower.
Notes :
• 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.