Alexander Gordienko, international sales manager, Celsa Group, noted in the 84th IREPAS meeting on Mar 15 that world economies may witness a V-shaped recovery in 2021, boosting steel consumption.
However, access to vaccines, government policies and financial stimulus packages may affect the output and demand of the metal. He added that though the world witnessed an overall reduction in GDP of 2.4-3.5pc, there was stronger than expected momentum in the second half of 2020.
Gordienko added that the world’s demand for long steel increased by 0.7pc in 2020 to 905mn mt. Production of wire rods and merchant bars was up 2pc and 3.2pc respectively. The consumption of section and rebars declined by 3.2pc and 0.6pc respectively.