World crude steel output increases by 15% in 2010

All the major steel-producing countries and regions showed double-digit growth in 2010. The EU and North America had higher growth rates due to the lower base effect from 2009 while Asia and the CIS recorded relatively lower growth.

In December 2010, world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 116.2 mmt, an increase of 7.8% compared to December 2009. The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 66 countries in December 2010 declined slightly to 73.8% compared to 75.2% in November 2010. Compared to December 2009, the utilisation ratio in December 2010 is 1.1 percentage point higher.

Figure 1: Annual crude steel production

Figure 2: Crude steel production annual growth trend

Annual production for Asia was 897.9 mmt of crude steel in 2010, an increase of 11.6% compared to 2009. Its share of world steel production decreased to 63.5% in 2010 from 65.5% in 2009. China's crude steel production in 2010 reached 626.7 mmt, an increase of 9.3% on 2009. China's share of world crude steel production declined from 46.7% in 2009 to 44.3% in 2010. Japan produced 109.6 mmt in 2010, 25.2% higher than 2009. In 2010, South Korea's crude steel production was 58.5 mmt, a 20.3% growth compared to 2009.

The EU recorded an increase of 24.5% compared to 2009, producing 172.9 mmt of crude steel in 2010. However, crude steel production in the UK and Greece continued to decline in 2010.

In 2010, crude steel production in North America was 111.8 mmt, an increase of 35.7% on 2009. The US produced 80.6 mmt of crude steel, 38.5% higher than 2009.

The CIS showed an increase of 11.2% in 2010, producing 108.5 mmt of crude steel. Russia produced 67 mmt of crude steel, an 11.7% increase on 2009 and Ukraine recorded an increase of 12.4% with a year-end figure of 33.6 mmt.

Figure 3: Share of world crude steel production 2009, 2010

Table 1: Top 10 steel-producing countries

Figure 4: Steel capacity utilisation ratio

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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 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.
• The monthly crude steel statistics available on worldsteel.org every month show figures from the 66 countries reporting to worldsteel on a monthly basis. The total annual global production figure in this press release includes estimates of other countries that only report annually.
• The PDF file below contains a summary of world crude steel production by region from 2004 to 2010, a list of the largest steel-producing countries 2010 and December 2010 production figures.

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