Stainless Steel Production Flat in First Quarter
07/12/2007 - Global stainless crude steel production reached 7.6 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2007 according to the International Stainless Steel Forum, an 0.7% increase compared to the final quarter of 2006.
Global stainless crude steel production reached 7.6 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2007 according to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF). The total represents an increase of 0.7% compared to the final quarter of 2006.
Comparing first-quarter production to the previous quarter, the most significant production increases were seen in Eastern Europe (+15.9%) and the Americas (+8.1%). Minimal changes in production volume were recorded in Asia (-0.1%) and Western Europe/Africa (-0.3%).
Compared to the very weak first quarter of 2006, global production increased 15% in the first quarter of 2007. Asia, driven by China, reported the most significant production increase of 25.2%. A strong increase was also recorded in the Central and Eastern Europe region (+18.4%) while increases were more moderate in the Americas (+3.8%) and Western Europe/Africa (+4.6%).
Source: International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF)
