World crude steel output increases by 1.2% in 2014

Brussels, 22 January 2015 - World crude steel production reached 1,662 million tonnes (Mt) for the year 2014, up by 1.2% compared to 2013.

In 2014, the Middle East, the smallest region for crude steel production had the most robust growth. Crude steel production in the EU (28), North America and Asia grew modestly in 2014 compared to 2013, while in the C.I.S. and South America it decreased.

Annual production for Asia was 1,132.3 Mt of crude steel in 2014, an increase of 1.4% compared to 2013. China's* crude steel production in 2014 reached 822.7 Mt, an increase of 0.9% on 2013. China's share of world crude steel production decreased from 49.7% in 2013 to 49.5% in 2013. Japan produced 110.7 Mt in 2014, a 0.1% increase from 2013. South Korea's crude steel production was 71.0 Mt, an increase of 7.5% compared to 2013.

The EU recorded an increase of 1.7% compared to 2013, producing 169.2 Mt of crude steel in 2014. Germany produced 42.9 Mt of crude steel in 2014, up by 0.7% over 2013. Italy produced 23.7 Mt in 2014, a -1.4% decrease over 2013. France's crude steel production in 2014 was 16.1 Mt, an increase of 2.9%. Spain produced 14.2 Mt of crude steel in 2013, a decrease of -0.6% compared to 2013.

In 2014, crude steel production in North America was 121.2 Mt, an increase of 2.0% on 2013. The US produced 88.3 Mt of crude steel, up by 1.7% compared to 2013.

In December 2014, world crude steel production for the 65 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 133.7 Mt, an increase of 0.1% compared to December 2013. The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 65 countries in December 2014 was 72.7%. It is 2.4 percentage points lower than December 2013. The average capacity utilisation in 2014 was 76.7% compared to 78.4% in 2013.

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Notes to Editors:

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.

The total annual global and regional production figures in this press release includes estimates of other countries that only report annually. The monthly crude steel statistics available on worldsteel.org every month show figures from the 65 countries reporting to worldsteel on a monthly basis.

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.

Megatonne (Mt) is a metric unit equivalent to 1 million tonnes.

The attached PDF file contains a summary of world crude steel production by region from 2013 to 2014, a list of the largest steel producing countries 2014 and December 2014 production figures.

* China issues a preliminary year-end crude steel production figure in January based on monthly production figures issued for the year. The preliminary figures for 2013 and 2014 are used in this press release to make a year-on-year comparison. The 2013 preliminary figure issued in January 2014 was revised from 779.0 Mt to 815.4 Mt in January 2015. The 2014 preliminary figure issued this month is 822.7 Mt. This is likely to be revised.

Source: www.worldsteel.org