Research results of stainless steel
The stainless steel production is expected to reach 20.9 million tons by the end of 2003 which only had a limited production capacity of 1 million tons at the beginning of 1950s. It is forecasted that the demand for stainless steel will reach 22.5 million tons by 2004 and 30 million tons by 2010. In line with such forecast, stainless steel producers raise their capacities and open new production plants. US and Japan are the major producers, in cut-throat competition. China and Germany also follow the major stainless steel producers closely. According to the data obtained from State Statistical Bureau (DIE), the value of Turkish imports were $326.6 million in the first eight moths of 2003. The data reveal that imports increased by 47.9% and exports were up 37.7% compared to the same period last year.Foreign Trade of Stainless Steel Products ($Thousand) Years Import Export Total 2002 347'308 67'945 415'253 2002(*) 220'695 40'483 261'178 2003(*) 326'561 55'782 382'434(*)January-August Turkey is among the first eight countries of the world that produce chrome ore which is the raw material of stainless steel production. However, it is at the same time, one of the two countries without a stainless steel plant in the whole world with Albania. Due to the lack of operations to present the chrome steel in sheet from to the industry, Turkey is selling large part of its chrome to overseas at very cheap prices and then import this material after being processed at higher prices. A governmental policy is required to be instituted to solve this problem.
Issues: - No production in Turkey - Users ignorance - Upward trend of prices - Lack of governmental policy
Solution suggestions: - Have policies to ensure production - Have campaigns to efface lack of knowlegde - Have to introduce stainless steel