According to World Steel Association (WSA) world steel output in October 2010 totaled 117.6 mio tons, which was up 4.6 % on the previous month result. The decrease in global metallurgy, which has been lasted for 4 months, terminated with the increase. World top-20 largest steel producers (except the USA and Russia) increased output volumes as compared with the previous month. The capacities load increased in Oct. by 75.4 %, whereas in Sep. it amounted 74.8%.
In China the growth amounted almost 25.4 mio tons. Although Chinese companies are still far from the figures of the Q2, 2010, generally the industry is overcoming the consequences of September energy saving campaign. According to CISA, in the first decade of Nov. daily average steel output in China increased by 2% as compared with the 3rd decade of Oct.
The biggest growth in Nov. as compared with Oct. was noticed in EU countries (7.7%). It was the best result since May 2010. However, further European companies will have to slow down. The region economy is depressed. In mid.-Nov. Arcelor Mittal announced the stop of three blast furnaces at its European plants in addition to those stopped in mid.-summer. Besides, three production lines were stopped. US Steel intends to fully stop steel production at its Serbian plant and to focus all production at its Slovakian US Steel Kosice plant.
Steel output in EU in the first 10 months of 2010 is down 17.3 % below the same period of 2008.
The US steel output is by 18.8 % less than in 2008; Japanese – by 10.7%.
Russian steel production in Jan.-Oct. 2010 is by 9.2 % less than in the same period of 2008. Ukrainian steel production is by 19.4 below 2008 figures.
Generally in Jan.-Oct. 2010 world steel production totaled 1164.7 mio tons, which was by 2.8 % more than in 2008.
In the world (without China) steel output in Jan.-Oct. 2010 increased by 25.7 % as compared with the same period of 2009. However, there was 9.6 % decrease as compared with Jan.-Oct. 2008.
In China in the first 10 months of 2010 steel output totaled 524.8 mio tons, which was up 11.3 % on the same period of 2009 and down 23.5% below the same period of 2008.
India increases its steel output. Steel production volumes in Korea and Turkey in 10 months of 2010 have exceeded 2008 figures. In Middle East Iran, KSA, and Qatar have increased steel production.
By all appearances, in the last two months of 2010 world steel production volume will grow, although with lower rate than in Oct., due to the USA and EU.