Global steel production up by 1.2% in 2012

Global steel production has reached 1,548 megatonnes (Mt) in 2012, up by 1.2% compared to 2011, according to The World Steel Association (worldsteel). The growth came mainly from Asia and North America while crude steel production in the EU (27) and South America decreased in 2012 compared to 2011.

Annual production for Asia was 1,012.7 Mt of crude steel in 2012, an increase of 2.6% compared to 2011. The region’s share of world steel production increased slightly from 64.5% in 2011 to 65.4% in 2012. China’s crude steel production in 2012 reached 716.5 Mt, an increase of 3.1% on 2011. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 45.4% in 2011 to 46.3% in 2012. Japan produced 107.2 Mt in 2012, a -0.3% decrease from 2011. In 2012, South Korea’s crude steel production was 69.3 Mt, a 1.2% increase compared to 2011.