Global stainless crude steel output up by 6.3%
In the first quarter of 2004, global stainless crude steel production reached 6.1 million mts with an increase of 6.3% compared to the same period of last year, according to the data released by International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF). Asia indicated again the strongest growth by 14.7% and stainless crude steel output amounted to 2.9 million tons in this region. The significant increases are materialized in China and South Korea. Stainless crude steel output decreased by 1.7% to 2.4 million mts in the Western Europe/Africa due to the strikes at the two major stainless steel mills. The Americas produced 732000 mts of stainless crude steel in the mentioned period, up by 5.3% compared to the same period of last year. Production in Eastern Europe showed 7.1% drop compared to the first quarter of 2003.
Q1
Region 2003 2004 % Change
Western Europe/Africa 2442000 2401000 -1.7
Eastern Europe 70000 65000 -7.1
The Americas 695000 732000 5.3
Asia 2507000 2876000 14.7
Total World 5714000 6074000 6.3