core sector communique

World crude steel output increases by 6.8% in 2011

Brussels, 23 January 2012 – World crude steel production reached 1,527 megatonnes (Mt) for the year of 2011. This is an increase of 6.8% compared to 2010 and is a record for global crude steel production.

All the major steel-producing countries apart from Japan and Spain showed growth in 2011. Growth was particularly robust in Turkey, South Korea and Italy.

Figure 1: Annual crude steel production

Annual production for Asia was 988.2 Mt of crude steel in 2011, an increase of 7.9% compared to 2010. The region’s share of world steel production increased slightly from 64.0% in 2010 to 64.7% in 2011. China’s crude steel production in 2011 reached 695.5 Mt, an increase of 8.9% on 2010. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 44.7% in 2010 to 45.5% in 2011. Japan produced 107.6 Mt in 2011, a -1.8% decrease from 2010. In 2011, South Korea’s crude steel production was 68.5 Mt, a 16.2% increase compared to 2010.

The EU recorded an increase of 2.8% compared to 2010, producing 177.4 Mt of crude steel in 2011. Spain produced 15.6 Mt of crude steel in 2011, a -4.6% decrease on 2010 while Italy produced 28.7 Mt in 2011, an 11.3% increase over 2010.

In 2011, crude steel production in North America was 118.9 Mt, an increase of 6.8% on 2010. The US produced 86.2 Mt of crude steel, 7.1% higher than 2010.

The CIS showed an increase of 4.0% in 2011, producing 112.6 Mt of crude steel. Russia produced 68.7 Mt of crude steel, a 2.7% increase on 2010 and Ukraine recorded an increase of 5.7% with a year-end figure of 35.3 Mt.

Annual crude steel production for South America was 48.4 Mt in 2011, an increase of 10.2% on 2010. Brazil produced 35.2 Mt in 2011, 6.8% higher than 2010.

Figure 2: Crude steel production annual growth trend

Figure 3: Share of world crude steel production 2010, 2011

Table 1: Top 10 steel-producing countries

Rank	Country	2011	2010	%2011/2010
1	China	695.5	638.7	8.9
2	Japan	107.6	109.6	-1.8
3	United States	86.2	80.5	7.1
4	India	72.2	68.3	5.7
5	Russia	68.7	66.9	2.7
6	South Korea	68.5	58.9	16.2
7	Germany	44.3	43.8	1.0
8	Ukraine	35.3	33.4	5.7
9	Brazil	35.2	32.9	6.8
10	Turkey	34.1	29.1	17.0

In December 2011, world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 117.1 Mt, an increase of 1.7% compared to December 2010. The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 64 countries in December 2011 declined slightly to 71.7% compared to 73.3% in November 2011. Compared to December 2010, the utilisation ratio in December 2011 is -2.1 percentage points lower.

Figure 4: World steel capacity utilisation ratio

Notes:

• 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 produce around 85% of the world's steel.
• The total annual global production figure 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 64 countries reporting to worldsteel on a monthly basis.
• China’s 2010 annual production figure has been revised by CISA. Its 2011 annual production figure has been estimated by applying the annual growth rate of the monthly data to the 2010 figure. China’s monthly data represents about 98% of the national total production.
• 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 2006 to 2011, a list of the largest steel producing countries 2011 and December 2011 production figures.