According to the World Steel Association, the world’s steelmakers produced 1.69 billion metric tons of steel, up from 1.61 billion metric tons in the prior year.
“Crude steel production increased in all regions in 2017 except in the (Russian Commonwealth), which has remained stable,” the association said.
In the U.S., production rose 4 percent to 81.6 million metric tons, enough to retain its ranking as the world’s fourth-largest producer.
Annual production for Asia was 1,162.5 Mt of crude steel in 2017, an increase of 5.4 percent compared to 2016. China’s crude steel production in 2017 reached 831.7 Mt, up by 5.7 percent on 2016. China’s share of world crude steel production increased from 49.0 percent in 2016 to 49.2 percent in 2017. Japan produced 104.7 Mt in 2017, down by -0.1 percent compared to 2016. India’s crude steel production for 2017 was 101.4 Mt, up by 6.2 percent on 2016. South Korea produced 71.1 Mt of crude steel in 2017, an increase of 3.7 percent compared to 2016.
In India, steelmakers produced 101.4 million metric tons, up 6.2 percent from 2016. 2017 was the first time Indian steel production exceeded 100 million tons. India remains the world’s third-largest producer, behind Japan and China. Japanese production slipped in 2017, inching down 0.1 percent to 104.7 million metric tons.
Published in the April 2018 Edition
