Global stainless steel output figures for 2004
The International
Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) today disclosed that global
stainless steel
production amounted to 24.6 million metric tons in 2004, an increase of 7.5% year on year.
Asia claimed the top spot as the largest
stainless steel producing area in the world. Asia's total
production rose 12% year on year to 11.9 million metric tons.
Stainless steel
production in
China grew 33%. South
Korea (18%) and
India (11%) also showed strong increases in
stainless steel
production.
Western
Europe/
Africa finished as the second largest
stainless steel producing area. Total output in this area rose 4.1% year on year to 9.4 million metric tons in 2004. Strikes and adverse weather conditions negatively impacted
production in the first quarter of 2004.
Stainless steel
production in Central and Eastern
Europe totaled 343'000 metric tons in 2004. The region exhibited a strong increase in
stainless steel
consumption. On the other hand, domestic
production failed to satiate this demand.
The Americas'
stainless steel
production growth remained at 3.5% in 2004. Total output in 2004 was 2.9 million metric tons.