The World Steel Association’s October 2010 short-range outlook for 2010 and 2011 forecasts that global apparent steel use (deliveries of steel from domestic producers and importers and not from inventories) will increase 13.1% to 1,272 million metric tons (mmt) in 2010 after decreasing by 6.6% last year. World steel demand is expected to grow 5.3% in 2011 to a record 1,340 mmt. China is expected to increase apparent steel use in 2010 by 6.7% to 579 mmt. In 2011, Chinese growth will slow to 3.5% to represent 45% of world steel apparent use. In the US, apparent steel use is projected to grow 32.9% in 2010 and 9.4% in 2011, reaching 86.1 mmt. India’s steel demand is forecast to grow by 8.2% in 2010 and 13.6% in 2011, reaching 68 mmt. NAFTA’s apparent steel use will grow 31.3% in 2010 and 8.7% in 2011. Central and South America’s apparent steel use will grow 28.2% in 2010 and 9.1% in 2011. The EU will increase apparent steel use by 18.9% in 2010 and 5.7% in 2011. In the Commonwealth of Independent States, apparent steel use is forecast to grow 26.5% in 2010 and 11.1% in 2011. In the Middle East and North African region, apparent steel use is expected to grow 5.9% in 2010 and 5.3% in 2011. Although Japan’s apparent steel use will grow 19.1% in 2010, it is expected to decrease 1.4% in 2011.

Source: World Steel Association