China Expands Stainless Production Share

Chinese stainless raw steel output increased by 36.0% to 7.206 million tonnes in 2007 from previous year, keeping the top producing country position for 2 years in a row, according to International Stainless Steel Forum. Japan kept the no.2 position despite the production decreased by 8.9% to 3.712 million tonnes. The third largest producer of South Korean output decreased by 14.7% to 1.942 million tonnes. The 3 major Asian countries’ output was 46.5% of 27.671 million tonnes of world output. Chinese output keeps jumping. The output in 2007 was 9.9 times of 2001 level. Only China increased the output in 2007 when other major countries reduced the output. Italia with 1.561 million tonnes of output in 2007 was European no.1 producer of stainless steel. Belgium with 1.521 million tonnes was no.2 while Germany with 1.505 million tonnes was no.3 and Spain with 1.106 million tonnes was no.4.