Hebei takes lead in Chinese steel production

Hebei takes lead in Chinese steel production

In 2004, China’s Hebei province’s crude steel production of 56.4139 million tons, up 38.68% year-on-year, accounted for nearly 20% of China’s total crude steel output. Hebei’s 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 province’s output of steel products totaled 46.9779 million tons, up 28.3% year-on-year. Hebei’s 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 China’s total continuous casting billet/slab output. East China led the way in terms of additional output, accounting for 43% of China’s new output in 2004.