Latest output statistics indicate that the international market for stainless steel is picking up. It is highly likely that total Western World crude steel production could reach 18.5 million tonnes this year. This figure is similar to the record outturn in 2000. Stainless steel manufacturing has been steadily increasing in recent years in China. The rate of growth will be even faster up to 2007. We do not have reliable statistics for output in China and the former Eastern Bloc countries. However, we believe that their combined production in 2001 reached close to 1 million tonnes. Further expansion is expected this year. Consequently, global stainless steelmaking in 2002 is estimated to reach in excess of 19.5 million tonnes - the highest figure ever recorded.
展开▼
