WORLD STEEL PRODUCTION TO RISE BY 5.6 PERCENT THIS YEAR

MEPS forecasts crude steel production in 2008 at 1420 million tonnes - 5.6 percent up on the outturn in the previous twelve month period. This rate of growth is below the year earlier figure of 7.6 percent, due in part to the weaker global economic climate and an anticipated reduction in the rate of steel output expansion in China.

Blastfurnace iron making is still expected to exceed one billion tonnes this year, rising broadly in line with crude steel output. Direct reduced iron manufacturing is predicted to climb to near 70 million tonnes in 2008. The popularity of this process is growing, particularly in South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia.

Global steel output in 2007 reached another all time high. Record levels of production were recorded in half the 98 countries investigated. On a regional basis, NAFTA and Africa failed to reach past peak values. The outturn in the former USSR was at a new post 1991 level. However, substantially larger figures were recorded in the 1980’s, prior to the break up of the Union.

We maintain our forecast for crude steel output in the EU-27 member states at close to 215 million tonnes this year. Real demand is likely to slow down in several countries. However import volumes are expected to decline compared to levels recorded in 2007.

Crude steel output in non EU Western Europe is forecast to expand by almost 10 percent in 2008, year on year. The main drivers for this are very strong demand and rising capacity for steel manufacturing in Turkey. High levels of investment will continue over the period to 2012. Much of the growth in output is still related to the construction sector. In the remainder of the region, Serbian output is forecast to rise this year.

We continue to predict a substantial increase in steel manufacturing in 2008 in the former USSR. All steel producing nations are forecast to show improved results from their year earlier figures. We have slightly uprated our estimate for 2008 production in this region to near 132 million tonnes - 6.2 percent up on the 2007 result.

Steel production in the NAFTA region in 2008 is expected to be 2 million tonnes up on the year earlier figure. Imports from the Far East and Europe will decline because they are not competitive since the decrease in the value of the US dollar. This will enable mill activity to expand.

Crude steel output in South America is forecast to reach another all time high in 2008. We predict an increase of almost 4 million tonnes compared to the previous year. Demand across all the region should remain solid. Revenues from iron-ore and other raw materials are expected to rise. This will provide opportunities for expansion of the economies.

Total African steel production in 2008 is forecast to reach an all time high. Demand across the region is quite strong. Last year’s outturn was blighted by a series of blastfurnace relines.

We are forecasting an 18 percent rise in steel output in the Middle East region this year. Consumption will expand and much of the higher requirement will be supplied from increased capacity at the local mills.

Asian crude steel production in 2008 is expected to rise by 49 million tonnes to a figure well in excess of 800 million tonnes. The mills in this region will be responsible for producing more than 56 percent of global output.

China will lead the way with an increase of more than 38 million tonnes. This equates to a hike of almost 8 percent. This rate of improvement is well below the level achieved in most years of this decade. Domestic demand should expand by approximately 10 percent. Export volumes are likely to decline.

Despite good economic growth in the region, steel demand appears to be rather flat. We cannot envisage any significant growth in steel output over the latter part of this year.

Source: MEPS - World Steel Outlook.