World crude steel production for the 62 countries reporting to the International Iron and Steel Institute (IISI) was 104.1 million metric tons in May, a figure that is 9.3 percent higher than for the same month of 2005.
Total world steel production has checked in at 490.7 million metric tons for the first five months of 2006, 7.1 percent higher than for the same period of 2005, according to the Brussels-based IISI.
In May, China was the largest steel-producing country with production of 35.9 million metric tons of crude steel, a figure that is 19.6 percent higher than May of last year. Indian production also soared, as that nation’s mills produced 3.5 million metric tons of crude steel, 13.4 percent higher than in May of 2005.
Steelmakers in the European Union were productive in May, churning out 17.5 million metric tons, an 8.7 percent boost compared to May of 2005. Steel producers in the United States are also staying busy, as the 8.4 million metric tons produced there represents a 9.2 percent increase compared to May 2005.