World Steel Demand to Rise by 5.7% in 2008, JISF

World apparent steel consumption will increase by 5.7% to record 1.287 billion tonnes in 2008 from 2007, according to outlook released by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Tuesday. JISF expects developing countries and mineral rich countries lift the demand while the demand slows down in European Union and decreased for 2 years in a row in USA. World raw steel output increases by 5.2% to 1.414 billion tonnes. JISF sees the demand and output in 2008 increase is lower than 2007 due to slow down in developed countries. JISF expects Chinese apparent steel consumption will increase by 11.5% to 443.8 million tonnes in 2008 from 2007. The country increases the raw steel output by 10.4% with around 50 million tonnes of expansion for steel making capacity while the country shuts down old facilities. The output increase is less than 2007 but China represents major portion of 70 million tonnes increase both in output and consumption in the world. JISF expects Indian apparent steel consumption will increase by 8.9% to 59 million tonnes in 2008 from 2007. The federation forecasts the demand will increase by 7.4% to 43 million tonnes in Russia and by 8.6% to 24 million tonnes in Brazil. The three countries’ demand growth keeps firm for infrastructure and energy and mineral development while the growth rate is less than more than 10% up in 2007. JISF expects US steel consumption will decreases by 0.6% to 115.4 million tonnes in 2008 from 2007 after 5.1% drop in 2007. European Union’s steel demand will increase by 1.0% to 194.9 million tonnes from 2007 but slows down compared with 4.4% growth in 2007.