World stainless steel production reached 24.6 million tonnes for the full year 2004, according to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF).

Growth — +7.5% over the full year 2003 — was driven by a particularly strong fourth quarter of 2004. World stainless steel production grew by 9.3% during the fourth quarter of 2004 compared to the fourth quarter of 2003.

Total Asian production grew by almost 12% to 11.9 million tonnes. This follows a robust 18% increase in production in 2003. All stainless steel melting countries in Asia contributed to this growth, with production in China growing by an imposing 33% compared to 2003. South Korea (~18%) and India (~11%) also showed strong increases in production. Asia represents the largest concentration of stainless steel production in the world.

Output in Western Europe/Africa, the second largest stainless steel producing area, grew by 4.1% in 2004, bringing production in this area to 9.4 million tonnes. Production in the region was hit by strikes and bad weather conditions in the first quarter of 2004.

Production in Central and Eastern Europe was 343,000 tonnes in 2004. The region has shown a strong increase in the consumption of stainless steel. However, local production facilities are unable to meet this demand.

Growth in The Americas was 3.5% in 2004, the same rate as in 2003. Total output in 2004 was 2.9 million tonnes. Canada stopped stainless steel production during the second half of 2004.