Data published by the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) show that global stainless crude steel production rose 30.4 percent year on year to 7.1 million metric tons (mmt) in the third quarter of 2006. Total production for the first nine months of 2006 was 20.9 mmt, an increase of 13 percent compared to the same period of 2005. The sharp increase in stainless steel production has occurred in all stainless steel producing regions. ISSF believes the increase indicates a well-performing world economy. Many northern hemisphere producers have reduced their normal summer break periods in response to heavy demand. Producers and fabricators are also still refilling stocks that were depleted by the large production cuts in late 2005.
Stainless crude steel production (in ’000 metric tons) Q3 Region 2005 2006 % Change Western Europe/Africa 1.813 2.384 31.5 Central and Eastern Europe 82 102 24.1 The Americas 592 757 27.9 Asia 2.931 3.824 30.5 Total World 5.418 7.067 30.4