Hebei takes lead in Chinese steel production
In 2004,
Chinas Hebei provinces crude steel
production of 56.4139 million tons, up 38.68% year-on-year, accounted for nearly 20% of
Chinas total crude steel output.
Hebeis 2004 crude steel
production earned the province the distinction of being the largest steel
manufacturing province in
China. In addition to its crude output, the provinces output of steel products totaled 46.9779 million tons, up 28.3% year-on-year.
Hebeis crude steel and steel products growth rates have exceeded that of similar products in
China. Since steel output has enjoyed a 10% higher growth rate against that of finished steel products in Hebei province, it is thought that around 10 million tons of crude steel has not been consumed in steel rolling, but rather exported or sold to other provinces.
East
China and Middle-South
China experienced the quickest
billet/
slab output increase in 2004, up 24.25% and 22.36% year-on-year respectively. These regions growth rates are also 5% and 3% higher than the national average crude steel growth rate of 19.6%. All of the other areas in
China posted below average growth rates.
East
China and North
China combined for 63.52% of
Chinas total continuous casting
billet/
slab output. East
China led the way in terms of additional output, accounting for 43% of
Chinas new output in 2004.