Production for the first nine months of 2013 totaled 28 million metric tons, up 1.4 million metric tons in comparison to the same period of 2012. Production for the third quarter 2013 was at 9.3 million metric tons, a new all–time third quarter high. However significant differences in regional development prevail.
 
Asia excluding China recorded a stainless crude steel production of 6.5 million metric tons during quarters 1–3 of 2013 corresponding to a y–o–y decrease of -1.4%. The development of this region shows a mixed picture ranging from +5% (India) to -6% (Taiwan, China). In the PR of China stainless steel production increased by 1.9 million metric tons or +15.7% to 13.7 million metric tons during the first nine months in comparison to 2012. China now accounts for roughly half of global production.
 
The development of Western Europe/Africa was distinctly different with a y–o–y decrease of -5.6% (-0.336 million metric tons) and a total stainless steel production of 5.7 million metric tons for the first 9 months of 2013. Here too the development is heterogeneous fluctuating from +1 to +3% in Belgium and France to double digit negative values in Italy and Germany with the UK trailing behind at -15%.
 
Stainless steel production in the Americas for the first 3 quarters of 2013 is stable in comparison to last year at 1.8 million metric tons with an upward trend during this period. Central and Eastern Europe display a strong growth at +8% and 0.30 million metric tons, up from 0.27 million metric tons.
 
Table 1: Stainless and heat-resisting crude steel production [‘000 metric tons]

Region	9 Months			Full Year
	2012	2013	+/- % y-o-y	2011	2012	+/- % y-o-y
Western Europe/Africa	6,031	5,695	-5.6	7,883	7,829	-0.7
Central/Eastern Europe	274	296	8.0	391	359	-8.2
The Americas	1,824	1,824	0.1	2,486	2,368	-4.7
Asia (w/o China)	6,579	6,487	-1.4	8,770	8,720	-0.6
China	11,812	13,664	15.7	14,091	16,087	14.2
World total	26,520	27,967	5.5	33,621	35,363	5.2

Q3 of 2013 was stronger than Q2 thus not following the usual seasonal pattern. In the face of regional economic developments which in general show a strong Q2 and weaker Q3 this is most likely a singular quarter on quarter compensational effect. Western Europe/Africa and Central and Eastern Europe are the exceptions displaying the usual seasonal downturn.
 
Table 2: Stainless and heat-resisting crude steel production [000 metric tons]

Region	Quarter 1			Quarter 2			Quarter 3
	2012	2013	+/- % y-o-y	2012	2013	+/- % y-o-y	2012	2013	+/- % y-o-y
Western Europe/Africa	2,211	2,157	-2.5	2,065	1,951	-5.5	1,756	1,587	-9.6
Central/Eastern Europe	87	94	7.8	98	114	16.5	90	89	-1.0
The Americas	607	598	-1.5	613	597	-2.7	603	630	4.4
Asia (w/o China)	2,226	2,170	-2.5	2,236	2,149	-3.9	2,118	2,168	2.4
China	3,790	4,404	16.2	4,006	4,414	10.2	4,015	4,845	20.7
World total	8,922	9,423	5.6	9,017	9,224	-4.8	8,582	9,320	209.0