core sector communique

September 2010 crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to worldsteel   Brussels, 21 October 2010 - World crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 112 million metric tons (mmt) in September. This is 0.9% higher than September 2009.   China’s crude steel production for September 2010 was 47.9 mmt, a decrease of -5.9% compared to September 2009.   Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.2 mmt of crude steel in September 2010, up 11.7% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production for September 2010 was 4.7 mmt, 3.2% up compared to the same month last year. In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for September 2010 was 3.3mmt, an increase of 4.1% on September 2009. Italy produced 2.3 mmt, 19.8% more than the same month in 2009. Spain produced 1.4 mmt, a -1.2% decrease compared to September 2009.   Turkey produced 2.5 mmt of crude steel in September 2010, 17.9% higher than September 2009.   The US produced 6.6 mmt of crude steel in September 2010, an increase of 15.0% compared to September 2009.   Brazil produced 2.7 mmt of crude steel in September 2010, a -1.2% decrease over the same month last year.   World crude steel production in September 2010 is 3.5% higher than September 2008 when the global economic crisis started showing the impact on the world crude steel production.   The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in September 2010 rebounded slightly to 74.4% compared to 73.3% in August 2010. Compared to September 2009, the utilisation ratio in September 2010 decreased by 3.8 percentage points.       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 180 steel producers (including 19 of the world's 20 largest steel companies), national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. worldsteel members produce around 85% of the world's steel.