Facts ‘n’ Figures: World crude steel output soars 5.3% in 2017

The following is an edited summary of steel production trends for the year 2017 from the Brussels-based World Steel Association. For more information, visit www.worldsteel.org.

World crude steel production reached 1,691.2 million tonnes for 2017, up 5.3% compared to 2016. Crude steel production increased in all regions in 2017 except in the CIS states in Eurasia, which has remained stable (subject to current estimates).

Annual production for Asia was 1,162.5 million tonnes of crude steel in 2017 — a 5.4% increase compared to 2016. China’s crude steel production in 2017 reached 831.7 million tonnes, up 5.7% from 2016. China’s share of the world’s crude steel production increased slightly from 49% in 2016 to 49.2% in 2017. Japan produced 104.7 million tonnes in 2017, down 0.1% compared to 2016. India’s crude steel production for 2017 was 101.4 million tonnes, up 6.2% on 2016. South Korea produced 71.1 million tonnes of crude steel in 2017, in a 3.7% increase compared to 2016.

In 2017, the EU produced 168.7 million tonnes of crude steel — a 4.1% increase compared to 2016. Italy produced 24 million tonnes in 2017, up 2.9% on 2016. Spain produced 14.5 million tonnes of crude steel in 2017, in a 6.2% increase compared to 2016.

Crude steel production in North America was 116 million tonnes, or 4.8% higher than in 2016. The U.S. produced 81.6 million tonnes of crude steel, up 4% on 2016.

The World Steel Association’s estimation of 2017 crude steel production in the CIS based on available data was 102.1 million tonnes, or the same amount as in 2016. Russia produced 71.3 million tonnes of crude steel in 2017, up 1.3% on 2016. Ukraine recorded a 6.4% decrease with a year-end figure of 22.7 million tonnes. (December 2017 production figures for Russia and Ukraine have not been confirmed, so their annual production figures are estimates.)

Annual crude steel production for South America was 43.7 million tonnes in 2017, for an 8.7% increase on 2016. Brazil produced 34.4 million tonnes in 2017, up 9.9% compared to 2016.

In December 2017, world crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to the World Steel Association was 138.1 million tonnes, a 3.9% increase compared to December 2016. The crude steel capacity utilization ratio of the 66 countries in December 2017 was 69.5%. This is 1.8% higher than December 2016.