China stainless steel output No. 2 in world

China stainless steel output No. 2 in world

In 2004, China’s crude stainless steel output enjoyed its largest production growth in history, 32.95% year-on-year, to reach 2.364 million tons. Specifically, China’s output of CR stainless steel sheet with thickness greater than 600mm totaled 1.096 million tons, up 16%. The country’s stainless steel imports totaled 2.903 million tons, down 2%, while its exports rose 175% to 344’000 tons. According to world stainless steel production data compiled by the CRU consultancy group, Japan finished first in terms of 2004 output with a 2% year-on-year gain to 4.1968 million tons. China, which was fourth in terms of output in 2003, jumped up two spots to second based on its 32.95% growth to 2.364 million tons. South Korea finished a tantalizing third, with its 18.4% growth giving it 2.3517 million tons. The US experienced negligible growth of 0.8%, and thus its 2.232 million tons of output saw it drop from second in 2003 to fourth in 2004. Germany saw 10.5% growth to finish fifth with 1.725 million tons.