Global stainless crude steel output up by 10.4% in 2003
Based on the data released by International
Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF), global
stainless crude steel output amounted to 22.8 million mts in 2003, up by 10.4% when compared with 20.7 million mts in 2002.
Asia was the largest
stainless steel producing region in 2003. Asian
production soared by 17.6% to 10.6 million mts in the aforementioned period. The biggest producer in the region is still
Japan with 4.1 million mts.
Production of
stainless crude steel in
China grew by more than 56% in 2003. According to the Chinese Council of Specialty Steel Enterprises,
China produced 1.8 million mts of
stainless steel in 2003.
In 2003, Western
Europe/
Africa was the second largest region in producing
stainless crude steel. Total output increased by 4.2% to 8.4 million mts.
Production of
stainless crude steel in the Americas reached 2.9 million mts in 2003, up by 3.7% compared to 2002. US and
Cuba indicated flat
production figures.
Central and Eastern
Europe indicated a significant growth in the
consumption of
stainless steel. In 2003, combined output in this region soared by 10% to 300'000 mts.The main producers were
Russia and
Slovenia in this region.