ISSF: stainless production dipped in 2015

Global – Global stainless steel melt shop production edged 0.3% lower last year to 41.548 million tonnes, according to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF).

At 21.562 million tonnes, China produced well over half of the world total although its output was still 0.6% down on 2014. Year-on-year production declines were also recorded by Western Europe/Africa (-0.7% to 7.518 million tonnes), the Americas (-2.3% to 2.747 million tonnes) and Central/Eastern Europe (-6.3% to 259 000 tonnes).

The only growth area, according to the ISSF, was the rest of Asia excluding China, where melt shop production climbed 1.4% last year to 9.461 million tonnes.