China produced 92.9 million tonnes in May, accounting for 56% of world output and rising 2.7% compared to May, 2023. Asian output outside of China, which now accounts for 18% of world output, fell 1.7% on last May due to declines in Japan (-6.3%) and South Korea (-10.9%), and despite increasing production in India (+3.5%).
North American production fell by 0.9% on last May following a 1.5% decline in the US. In contrast, Turkish production rose by 11.6%.
Slabs at Novolipetsk (NLMK Group) from Worldsteel Image Library
Episode 14 of The Green Steel Challenge podcast features Thomas Hansmann, CTO of world-leading steelmaking plant supplier SMS. Thomas does a superb job in summarizing which decarbonization technologies are state of the art, why it’s so important to lower blast furnace emissions, and finally, the two main barriers which are in the way of the radical shift to decarbonized steel.
The Green Steel Challenge podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel. The next episode will be the Season 1 wrap-up discussion “FINALE. HIGHLIGHTS & REFLECTIONS” released June 25th.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 28% from 250,000 short tons in May, 2023 to 319,000 tons in May, 2024. The rise was mainly due to higher parallel flange sections imports from South Korea, higher wire rod imports from Ukraine (and others), and higher rebar imports from Turkey and Bulgaria.
US long products imports in the first five months of 2024 were 7% higher than in the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to higher wire rod and parallel flange sections imports, which were partially offset by lower rebar imports.
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports rose 12% from 738,000 short tons in May, 2023 to 825,000 tons in May, 2024. The increase was mainly due to higher hot dip galvanized imports from Vietnam, where hdg import licenses in May 2024 reached 67,000 short tons. In contrast, hot rolled imports fell by 19% on last May, mostly due to lower imports from Canada.
US flat products imports in the first five months of 2024 were 24% higher than in the same period last year. Comparing the first five months of 2023 to 2024, imports rose for cut plate by 22%, for hot rolled by 6%, for cold rolled by 35%, and for hot dip galvanized by 44%.
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 85.9 million metric tonnes in April, 7.2% lower than in April, 2023. Chinese production in the first four months of 2024 was 4.9% lower than in the same period last year.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) in April at 8.6 million tonnes, 17% higher than in April, 2023. Finished steel exports in the first four months of 2024 were 28% higher than in the first four months of 2023.
China monthly crude steel production, January, 2010 to April, 2024
Thousand metric tonnes
Dinghai Bridge while under construction (2015), Hainan, China by Anna Frodesiak, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
What are some of the most promising new technologies that will allow the decarbonization of steel production?
Irina Gorbounova, VP President M & A and Head of the ArcelorMittal XCarb Innovation Fund discusses ArcelorMittal’s decarbonization goals and XCarb’s investments in Episode 13 of The Green Steel Challenge podcast, released today. Energy supply/storage, carbon re-use, and co-operation with other high-emitting industries are important topics.
The podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel.
