Global Steel Production Hits 1.5 Billion-Ton Record in 2012, as China and U.S. Steadily Grow

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--In 2012, global steel production grew 1.2% from 2011 to a record total 1.548 billion tons. Asia contributed 1.01 billion tons to the total, with China alone contributing 716.5 million tons, an increase of 3.1%. China's share of the global total increased from 45.4% in 2011 to 46.3% in 2012, according to the statistics from the World Steel Association (WSA) (Brussels, Belgium).

The Asian total was a 2.6% increase from 2011, and the Asian region's total share of global production rose from 64.5% in 2011 to 65.4% in 2012.

In North America, 2012 crude steel production was 121.9 million tons, an increase of 2.5% from 2011. The U.S. produced 86.6 million tons, which also was a 2.5% increase.

The European Union's production fell 4.7% to 169.4 million tons when compared with 2011. Production was down in Germany, Italy, France and Spain.

Annual steel production in South America was 46.9 million tons, a reduction of 3% from 2011. Brazil produced 34.7 million tons, which was down 1.5%.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) showed a 1.2% decrease in 2012, producing 111.3 million tons. Russia produced 68.9 million tons, which was down 2.5% from 2011, and Ukraine recorded a decrease of 6.9%, with 2012 production at 32.9 million tons.

In December 2012, world steel crude production for the 62 countries reporting to the WSA was 121.3 million tons, showing an increase of 2.4% from December 2011. The crude steel capacity utilization ratio of the 62 countries in December 2012 declined to 73.2%, compared with 76.1% in November 2012. The average capacity utilization ratio in 2012 was 78.8%, compared with 80.7% in 2011. WSA members represent about 85% of world steel production.

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