September worldwide steel production down 3.2 percent from 2007

Nov. 4, 2008

According to the World Steel Association (formerly the International Iron and Steel Institute) (www.worldsteel.org), total reported world crude steel production was 1,035.8 million metric tons (mmt) in the first nine months of 2008, a 4.6 percent increase over the same period in 2007. In September 2008, the world crude steel production moving annual total (MAT) growth rate further slowed to 4.7 percent from 5.6 percent last month.

China’s crude steel production for September 2008 was 39.6 mmt, a decrease of 9.1 percent on September 2007. In the first nine months of 2008, China produced 391.0 mmt of crude steel, an increase of 6.2 percent compared to the same period in 2007.

Overall, Asia produced 60.4 mmt of crude steel in September 2008 compared to 63.7 mmt in September 2007, a 5.1 percent decrease in crude steel production. South Korea showed a 12.7 percent increase in September producing 4.6 mmt of crude steel.

In September 2008, the European Union produced 17.4 mmt of crude steel, an increase of 0.9 percent and in the first nine months the EU produced 160.1 mmt, a 1.2 percent increase over the same period in 2007. Germany produced 4.0 mmt of crude steel in September, a decrease of -0.6 compared to the same month last year. Italy showed an increase of 2.4 percent producing 2.7 mmt in September.

Russia produced 6.1 mmt, 7 percent higher than September 2007 and in South America, Brazil produced 3.0 mmt in September, an increase of 5 percent compared to the same month in 2007.

Total crude steel production in North America was 10.9 mmt in September 2008, the same amount as September 2007. The North America MAT growth rate again rose, to 6.4 percent from 6.1 percent last month. This is its tenth consecutive monthly increase.

The World Steel Association represents approximately 180 steel producers, including 18 of the world's 20 largest steel companies, national and regional steel industry associations, and steel research institutes. Its members produce around 85 percent of the world's steel.

MAT: The moving annual total is the sum of the previous 12 months. Each month the crude steel production figure for the new month is added to the MAT, while the figure for the first month of the former 12 is subtracted.