August 2012 world crude steel production down 1% YOY

According to a recent press release published by the World Steel Association (worldsteel), world crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the Association was 124 million tonnes (Mt) in August 2012, a decrease of -1.0% compared to August 2011. China’s crude steel production for August was 58.7 Mt, down by -1.7% compared to same month of 2011. Elsewhere in Asia, Japan produced 9.2 Mt of crude steel in August 2012, an increase of 3.3% compared to August 2011. South Korea’s crude steel production was 5.7 Mt, up by 2.8% year-on-year.   In the EU, Germany produced 3.4 Mt of crude steel in August 2012, a decrease of -7.1% on August 2011. Italy produced 1.2 Mt, down by -15.5% compared to August 2011. In August 2012, Spain's production was 1.0 Mt of crude steel, -10.3% lower than the same month of previous year. France’s crude steel production for August 2012 was 1.0 Mt, a decrease of -7.2% on August 2011.   Turkey’s crude steel production for was 3.0 Mt, an increase of 8.7%.   Russia produced 5.8 Mt of crude steel in August 2012, an increase of 1.8% compared to the same month last year. Ukraine’s crude steel production for August was 2.7 Mt, -13.5% less than August 2011.   The US produced 7.5 Mt of crude steel, up by 1.2%.   Brazil’s crude steel production for August 2012 was 2.8 Mt, 6.2% percentage points lower than August 2011.     The crude steel capacity utilisation ratio for the 62 countries in August 2012 declined to 75.5% from 79.4% in July 2012. Compared to August 2011, it is 3.2 percentage points lower.