In the first quarter of the current year, Belgian crude steel production amounted to 1.8 million mt, falling by four percent year on year and up 5.1 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2012, according to the Belgian Steel Federation (GSV). In the fourth quarter of 2012, Belgium's crude steel output had increased nine percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
In the first quarter this year, the country's hot rolled coil production came to 1.77 million metric tons, falling by 17 percent year on year and up 18.9 percent compared to the fourth quarter of last year, while its cold rolled coil production rose by one percent year on year to 1.2 million metric tons, up 22.3 percent quarter on quarter
In the given period, Belgian steelmakers produced 962,000 metric tons of coated sheets, down four percent year on year and up 15.6 percent quarter on quarter, while their output of wire rod came to 220,000 metric tons, 12 percent lower as compared to the first quarter of 2012 and up 17 percent quarter on quarter.
In the first quarter of the current year, Belgium's stainless steel output stood at 363,000 metric tons, increasing by four percent year on year and up 34 percent quarter on quarter.