core sector communique

July 2011 crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to worldsteel Brussels, 22 August 2011 - World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 127 million metric tons (mmt) in July. This is 11.5% higher than July 2010. China’s crude steel production for July 2011 was 59.3 mmt, an increase of 15.5% compared to July 2010. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.1 mmt of crude steel in July 2011, down -1.2% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production for July 2011 was 5.7mmt, 21.7% up compared to July 2010. In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for July 2011 was 3.7 mmt, an increase of 5.7% on July 2010. Spain’s crude steel production for July 2011 was 1.0 mmt, down -1.9% on July 2010. The UK produced 0.8 mmt of crude steel in July 2011, an increase of 7.5% compared to July 2010. Turkey produced 2.9 mmt of crude steel in July 2011, 19.3% higher than July 2010. The US produced 7.5 mmt of crude steel in July 2011, an increase of 10.2 % compared to July 2010. Brazilian crude steel production for July 2011 was 3.1 mmt, 8.2% higher than July 2010. The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 64 countries in July 2011 was 79.7%, 3.4 percentage points lower than in June 2011. Compared to July 2010, the utilisation ratio in July 2011 increased by 4.9 percentage points. Notes to Editors: • 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 18 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.