Steel consumption up in Brazil’s southern state
The local steel association AARS announced that the steel consumption in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul rose by 23% due to the rising demand for cargo, automotive and agriculture machinery. Steel consumption was recorded as 1.09 million tons in 2004. This figure made the state country's third-largest user of steel. The association expects steel consumption to rise by 5% in 2005 as local factories are operating near full capacity.