January 2012 Crude Steel Production

Brussels, 21 February 2012 - World crude steel production for the 59 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 117 million tonnes (Mt) in January 2012. This is -7.8% lower than January 2011.

China’s crude steel production for January 2012 was 52.1 Mt, a decrease of -13% compared to January 2011. 

Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 8.6 Mt of crude steel in January 2012, a decrease of -10.6% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production for January 2012 was 5.1 Mt, -9.6% down compared to January 2011.

In the EU, Germany’s crude steel production for January 2012 was 3.4 Mt, a decrease of -8.5% on January 2011. Italy produced 2.2 Mt of crude steel in January 2012, 4.6% higher than January 2011. France produced 1.4 Mt of crude steel in January 2012, 11.2% up compared to January 2011.

Turkey produced 3.1 Mt of crude steel in January 2012, 14.4% higher than January 2011.

In January 2012, Russia produced 5.9 Mt of crude steel, an increase of 0.4% compared to January 2011. Ukraine’s crude steel production was 2.9 Mt in January 2012, a -1.6% decrease on the same month 2011.

The US produced 7.6 Mt of crude steel in January 2012, an increase of 5.7% compared to January 2011.

Brazilian crude steel production for January 2012 was 2.8 Mt, 0.6% higher than January 2011.

The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 59 countries in January 2012 rebounded slightly to 71.3%, 0.5 percentage point higher than from December 2011. Compared to January 2011, the utilisation ratio in January 2012 decreased by -9.6 percentage points.

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 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.
• 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.
• China’s January production data is an estimated figure provided by the China Iron and Steel Association (CISA).
• Megatonne (Mt) is a metric unit equivalent to 1 million tonnes.