)
With a total production of 83.20 million tonnes (mt), India remained the world’s fourth-largest steel producing nation for the fifth year in a row in 2014 as well, according to data compiled by the World Steel Association (WSA).
In fact, there was no change in the world order of production in the past year. China remains at the top, Japan second and the US at third position, producing 822.7 mt, 110.7 mt and 88.4 mt, respectively.
India was at third position in 2009 but has been fourth since 2010.
The country’s production was 69 mt in 2010, 73.5 mt in 2011, 77.3 mt in 2012 and 81.3 mt in 2013.
It might take years for India to position among the top two producers, currently held by China and Japan, respectively. However, with the ongoing expansions, it could take the position of the US within a couple of years, as the gap between the two is only around five mt.
Production in the US has hovered between 86 mt and 88 mt for four years.
Production in India, on the other hand, has been on the rise.
India’s present installed manufacturing capacity is around 100 mt. Almost all leading producers are raising their capacities aimed at cashing on the wide gap between output and potential increase in per capita consumption.
During 2014, the world’s production stood at 1,661 mt, up 1.2 per cent from 1,642 mt in 2013.
Contribution from Asia was the highest at 1,132 mt followed by Europe at 313 mt, North America (121 mt), South America (45 mt), Africa (16 mt), the Middle East (28 mt) and Australia/New Zealand (5.5 mt), respectively.
