In terms of crude steel production, Turkey is expected to rank as the second largest producer in Europe after Germany in the months of July and August this year, replacing Italy, thanks to the rise in its flat steel output, said Turkish Steel Producers' Association general secretary Dr. Veysel Yayan, adding that the country is also expected to rank 10th among the world's largest crude steel producing countries.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, in the first half this year, Turkey's crude steel output amounted to 13.5 million metric tons, rising by 44 percent as compared to the first six months of 2009 and up by 4.9 percent as compared to the first half of 2007. However, the country's crude steel output in the January-June period of this year still lagged behind 2008 levels, by 5.1 percent.
In the first half of this year, Turkey's flat steel output surged by 58.4 percent year on year to 3.1 million metric tons, while its long steel output rose by 4.2 percent to 10.4 million metric tons. Thus, 73.3 percent of the total increase of 1.56 million metric tons registered in Turkey's crude steel output was in crude steel production destined for flat steel output, Dr. Yayan stressed.
While recalling that the European and Turkish steel markets have not fully recovered from the effects of the world economic crisis and that an overcapacity problem still reigns over the steel markets coupled with weak demand, Dr. Yayan said that investments in the Turkish steel industry continue to be implemented despite these uncertainties: in the first half of this year, Turkish producers Mega Demir Celik, Tosyali Demir Celik and Yolbulan-Bastug started production at their new capacities. In addition, Ozkan Demir Celik's ongoing project is expected to be commissioned by August this year, while the integrated steel project of MMK-Atakas is scheduled to begin production in December this year.
"Despite all the problems, worldwide overcapacity and uncertainties arising from fluctuations in the global economy, the Turkish steel industry is showing promise with its performance in the first half of 2010," Dr. Yayan concluded.