Global steel output in July rises 12%

The global steel production in July rose by 11.5% to 127 million tonne over the same month last year, the World Steel Association (WSA) said today.

India's contribution to the world's kitty was nearly 5% or 6.16 million tonne. This is, however, an increase of 6.3% from 5.79 million tonne recorded in the same month last year.

China contributed the highest to the global production at 59.3 million tonne, a 15.5% growth compared to July last year.

Asia, as a whole, recorded 13% growth in steel production during the month at 82.18 million tonne over 72.73 million tonne in the same month last year, WSA said.

The 27-nation European Union's output in July this year was 14.57 million tonne, a 6.3% rise over 13.76 million tonne produced a year ago.

The CIS nations also boosted their production to 9.4 million tonne from 8.6 million tonne a year earlier. North and South America produced 10.54 million tonne and 4.29 million tonne, recording 11.1% and 12% growth respectively over July 2010.

Africa is lagging miles behind than other continents, barring Oceania. Africa could only produce 1.2 million tonne steel in July. There was also a slight dip in production compared to the same month last year.

The Middle East produced 1.58 million tonne steel compared to 1.29 million tonne in July last year. Oceania produced 0.56 million tonne in July this year.

Global steel production during the January-June period of the current year stood at 757.771 million tonne. India produced nearly one-tenth of neighbouring China's total output of 350.54 million tonne during the period.