Led by China, the world’s steelmakers produced 106.5 million metric tons of crude steel in August, continuing a four-month trend of larger monthly volumes.
Steelmakers in China produced 52.3 million metric tons, close to half of the global total, according to figures compiled by the World Steel Association (Worldsteel), Brussels.
The August total increased by more than 2.5 million metric tons compared to July production.
Crude steel production for the 66 countries reporting to Worldsteel continues to fall below year-ago monthly comparisons, although that is likely to change in either September or almost certainly October of 2009.
In September of 2008, 107.9 million metric tons of steel were made, a figure that could be equaled next month, while in October of 2008, 98.8 million metric tons of steel was produced globally.
The 106.5 million metric tons produced in August 2009 equates to 5.5 percent less steel than was made globally in August of 2008. However, producers in China made 22 percent more steel this August compared to August 2008, pointing to the fact that production in the rest of the world continues to lag below 2008 levels.
In August, some of the nations that have seen the biggest plummets in production showed a little bit of renewal. In the United States, 5.2 million metric tons of steel was made compared to 5.0 million in July. South Korean steelmakers produced 4.2 million tons of steel in August compared to 4.0 million in July.
In the European Union (EU), however, production scaled back in August, with the EU 27 producing a combined 10.7 million tons of steel in August compared to 11.2 million tons in July.