News

World crude steel output increases by 6.8% in 2011
Brussels, 23 January 2012 – World crude steel production reached 1,527 megatonnes (Mt) for the year of 2011. This is an increase of 6.8% compared to 2010 and is a record for global crude steel production.
All the major steel-producing countries apart from Japan and Spain showed growth in 2011. Growth was particularly robust in Turkey, South Korea and Italy.
Figure 1: Annual crude steel production
Annual production for Asia was 988.2 Mt of crude steel in 2011, an increase of 7.9% compared to 2010. The region’s share of world steel production increased slightly from 64.0% in 2010 to 64.7% in 2011. China’s crude steel production in 2011 reached 695.5 Mt, an increase of 8.9% on 2010. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 44.7% in 2010 to 45.5% in 2011. Japan produced 107.6 Mt in 2011, a -1.8% decrease from 2010. In 2011, South Korea’s crude steel production was 68.5 Mt, a 16.2% increase compared to 2010.
The EU recorded an increase of 2.8% compared to 2010, producing 177.4 Mt of crude steel in 2011. Spain produced 15.6 Mt of crude steel in 2011, a -4.6% decrease on 2010 while Italy produced 28.7 Mt in 2011, an 11.3% increase over 2010.
In 2011, crude steel production in North America was 118.9 Mt, an increase of 6.8% on 2010. The US produced 86.2 Mt of crude steel, 7.1% higher than 2010.
The CIS showed an increase of 4.0% in 2011, producing 112.6 Mt of crude steel. Russia produced 68.7 Mt of crude steel, a 2.7% increase on 2010 and Ukraine recorded an increase of 5.7% with a year-end figure of 35.3 Mt.
Annual crude steel production for South America was 48.4 Mt in 2011, an increase of 10.2% on 2010. Brazil produced 35.2 Mt in 2011, 6.8% higher than 2010.
Figure 2: Crude steel production annual growth trend
Figure 3: Share of world crude steel production 2010, 2011
Table 1: Top 10 steel-producing countries
All the major steel-producing countries apart from Japan and Spain showed growth in 2011. Growth was particularly robust in Turkey, South Korea and Italy.
Figure 1: Annual crude steel production

Annual production for Asia was 988.2 Mt of crude steel in 2011, an increase of 7.9% compared to 2010. The region’s share of world steel production increased slightly from 64.0% in 2010 to 64.7% in 2011. China’s crude steel production in 2011 reached 695.5 Mt, an increase of 8.9% on 2010. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 44.7% in 2010 to 45.5% in 2011. Japan produced 107.6 Mt in 2011, a -1.8% decrease from 2010. In 2011, South Korea’s crude steel production was 68.5 Mt, a 16.2% increase compared to 2010.
The EU recorded an increase of 2.8% compared to 2010, producing 177.4 Mt of crude steel in 2011. Spain produced 15.6 Mt of crude steel in 2011, a -4.6% decrease on 2010 while Italy produced 28.7 Mt in 2011, an 11.3% increase over 2010.
In 2011, crude steel production in North America was 118.9 Mt, an increase of 6.8% on 2010. The US produced 86.2 Mt of crude steel, 7.1% higher than 2010.
The CIS showed an increase of 4.0% in 2011, producing 112.6 Mt of crude steel. Russia produced 68.7 Mt of crude steel, a 2.7% increase on 2010 and Ukraine recorded an increase of 5.7% with a year-end figure of 35.3 Mt.
Annual crude steel production for South America was 48.4 Mt in 2011, an increase of 10.2% on 2010. Brazil produced 35.2 Mt in 2011, 6.8% higher than 2010.
Figure 2: Crude steel production annual growth trend

Figure 3: Share of world crude steel production 2010, 2011

Table 1: Top 10 steel-producing countries
Rank |
Country |
2011 |
2010 |
%2011/2010 |
1 |
China |
695.5 |
638.7 |
8.9 |
2 |
Japan |
107.6 |
109.6 |
-1.8 |
3 |
United States |
86.2 |
80.5 |
7.1 |
4 |
India |
72.2 |
68.3 |
5.7 |
5 |
Russia |
68.7 |
66.9 |
2.7 |
6 |
South Korea |
68.5 |
58.9 |
16.2 |
7 |
Germany |
44.3 |
43.8 |
1.0 |
8 |
Ukraine |
35.3 |
33.4 |
5.7 |
9 |
Brazil |
35.2 |
32.9 |
6.8 |
10 |
Turkey |
34.1 |
29.1 |
17.0 |
In December 2011, world crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 117.1 Mt, an increase of 1.7% compared to December 2010. The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio of the 64 countries in December 2011 declined slightly to 71.7% compared to 73.3% in November 2011. Compared to December 2010, the utilisation ratio in December 2011 is -2.1 percentage points lower.
Figure 4: World steel capacity utilisation ratio

World Steel Association.