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World Crude Steel Output Increased by 1.2% in 2012

01/22/2013 - World crude steel production reached a record 1,548 million tonnes for the year 2012, led by year-on-year growth in Asia and North America while production declined in the EU and South America.

World crude steel production reached 1,548 million tonnes for the year 2012, up by 1.2% compared to 2011. This is a record for global crude steel production, the World Steel Association reports.
The growth came mainly from Asia and North America while crude steel production in the EU (27) and South America decreased in 2012 compared to 2011.
Annual production for Asia was 1,012.7 million tonnes of crude steel in 2012, an increase of 2.6% compared to 2011. The region’s share of world steel production increased slightly from 64.5% in 2011 to 65.4% in 2012. China’s crude steel production in 2012 reached 716.5 million tonnes, an increase of 3.1% on 2011. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 45.4% in 2011 to 46.3% in 2012. Japan produced 107.2 million tonnes in 2012, a -0.3% decrease from 2011. In 2012, South Korea’s crude steel production was 69.3 million tonnes, a 1.2% increase compared to 2011.
The EU recorded a decrease of -4.7% compared to 2011, producing 169.4 million tonnes of crude steel in 2012. Germany produced 42.7 million tonnes of crude steel in 2012, a decrease of -3.7% on 2011. Italy produced 27.2 million tonnes in 2012, a -5.2% decrease over 2011. France’s crude steel production in 2012 was 15.6 million tonnes, a decrease of -1.1%. Spain produced 13.6 million tonnes of crude steel in 2012, a -12.1% decrease on 2011.
In 2012, crude steel production in North America was 121.9 million tonnes, an increase of 2.5% on 2011. The U.S. produced 88.6 million tonnes of crude steel, 2.5% higher than 2011.
The CIS showed a decrease of -1.2% in 2012, producing 111.3 million tonnes of crude steel. Russia produced 68.9 million tonnes of crude steel, a 2.5% increase on 2011 and Ukraine recorded a decrease of -6.9% with a year-end figure of 32.9 million tonnes.
Annual crude steel production for South America was 46.9 million tonnes in 2012, a decrease of -3.0% on 2011. Brazil produced 34.7 million tonnes in 2012, down by -1.5% compared to 2011.
In December 2012, world crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 121.3 million tonnes, an increase of 2.4% compared to December 2011. The crude steel capacity utilization ratio of the 62 countries in December 2012 declined to 73.2% compared to 76.1% in November 2012.The average capacity utilization ratio in 2012 was 78.8% compared to 80.7% in 2011.