core sector communique

March 2012 crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to worldsteel

Brussels, 20 April 2012 - World crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 132 million tonnes (Mt) in March 2012, an increase of 1.8% compared to March 2011. Production for the first quarter of 2012 was 377 Mt, 1.1% higher than the first quarter of 2011.

In the first three months of 2012, Asia produced 241.7 Mt of crude steel, an increase of 1.5% over the first quarter of 2011. The EU produced 43.9 Mt of crude steel in the first quarter of 2012, down by -3.9% compared to the same quarter of 2011. North America’s crude steel production in the first three months of 2012 was 31.2 Mt, 6.7% higher than the first three months of 2011.

China’s crude steel production for March 2012 was 61.6 Mt, an increase of 3.9% compared to March 2011.

Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.3 Mt of crude steel in March 2012, up by 2.3% compared to the same month last year. South Korea’s crude steel production for March 2012 was 6.0 Mt, an increase of 3.2% compared to March 2011.

In the EU, Germany produced 3.9 Mt of crude steel in March 2012, a decrease of -3.1% on March 2011. Italy’s crude steel production for March 2012 was 2.7 Mt, up by 4.5% on March 2011. In March 2012, France produced 1.5 Mt of crude steel, an increase of 3.8% compared to March 2011. Spain’s crude steel production for March 2012 was 1.3 Mt, down by -19.5% compared to the same month in 2011.

Turkey’s crude steel production for March 2012 was 3.1 Mt, an increase of 14.5% compared to March 2011.

The US produced 7.8 Mt of crude steel in March 2012, up by 5.4% on March 2011.

Brazil’s crude steel production for March 2012 was 3.1 Mt, 2.2% higher than March 2011.

The world crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 62 countries in March 2012 increased to 81.1%, 1.6 percentage points higher than February 2012. Compared to March 2011, the utilisation ratio in March 2012 decreased by -1.2 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 produce around 85% of the world's steel.
• 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.