Stainless production on upward trajectory

The Brussels-based Worldstainless organization reports that production of stainless steel globally increased by 5.4 percent in the first nine months of 2024 compared with the same time frame in 2023.

According to the organization, more than 62 percent of the 46 million metric tons (mmt) of stainless steel made from January through September of last year—some 28.6 mmt—was made in China.

Europe combined to produce another 4.69 mmt (10.2 percent) of the global total, while the United States output of about 1.5 mmt represented less than 3.3 percent of global output during the time frame.

Worldstainless breaks global production down into five regions. In addition to China, Europe and the U.S., it has a category called Asia without China, South Korea and Indonesia and an “Others” category that includes Indonesia and South Korea as well as Brazil, Russia and South Africa.

Production in all five Worldstainless regions was greater in the first nine months of 2024 compared with the first three quarters of 2023 by the following percentages: Others, 11.2 percent; U.S., 9.1 percent; Asia without China, South Korea and Indonesia, 8.1 percent; and Europe, 4.9 percent.

Worldstainless also is hosting a webinar Feb. 20, to discuss the benefits of stainless steel in several applications.

The group's Secretary General Tim Collins will offer information on health and hygiene factors of stainless steels compared with alternative materials; how stainless steel handrails and barriers can absorb “around 1.5 times” more impact energy compared with carbon steels; corrosion prevention aspects of the metal; and the seismic activity resistance qualities of stainless steel.

Information on how to register for the webinar can be found here.