World steel output up for August

The International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) reported that world steel production during August stood at 101M/t, 11% up on the same period in 2005.

Of the 62 countries that report to the IISI, China was by far the largest single producer, accounting for 36% of world production, up 2% on last year’s figures.

Germany was again the largest steel producer in the European Union with a total production of 3.9M/t in August, up an encouraging 16% on figures for the same month in 2005.

European steel production is dominated by five major countries, Germany, the UK, France, Spain and Italy.

Geoffrey Taylor, Marketing Director of Caunton Engineering and Editor of the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) annual statistical bulletin said the European market for 2005  was generally up, and the German decline in demand, though still decreasing, is beginning to level out.

“A recovery in Germany should be good news for all European steelwork companies,” Mr Taylor said.

The statistical bulletin was presented at the ECCS annual convention held in Romania at the end of September as NSC was going to press.

A full European market statistical breakdown will appear in the November/December issue.