Germany’s crude steel production increased by 5.4pc to 3.3mn mt in January 2021 compared with 3.1mn mt the prior month, according to the latest data published by the Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl (WV Stahl) on Feb 19.
The country’s blast furnace iron output climbed by 7.9pc to 2.2mn mt in January 2021 compared with the same month a year ago though hot metal production declined by 1.1pc compared with December 2020.
Local steel producers have ramped up output in response to robust domestic and international consumption, which has been exacerbated by a material shortage caused by a slow rebound in production rates.
Domestic integrated steelworks reduced their output by 1.6pc to 2.3mn mt last month compared with December 2020, while local electric arc furnace producers raised production by 27.5pc to 0.96mn mt over the same period.
Davis Index has learned that German basic oxygen steelmakers have responded to challenges in the automotive industry, which is struggling with run rates due to a global shortage of semiconductor chips, by scaling back output.