Global stainless steel melt shop production increased 3.4pc through the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, according to the International Stainless Steel Forum.
China accounted for the lion’s share of production, which rose 11.7pc through the first nine months of 2019 compared to the same period last year. In Q1, Chinese production amounted to 6,684mt, 7,670mt in Q2, and 8,135mt in Q3.
However, through the first three quarters of 2019, Europe recorded a 7.2pc annual decline in production compared to the same period in 2018. Europe produced 1,899mt in Q1, 1,842mt in Q2, and 1,490mt in Q3.
US production fell 7.5pc through the first nine months of 2019, compared to the same nine-month span in 2018. It recorded 704mt in Q1, 647mt in Q2, and 669mt in Q3.
Asia (excluding China) and other countries (Brazil, South Africa, South Korea, Russia ,and Indonesia) recorded declines of 5.4pc and 3.1pc, respectively.