By Paul Ploumis

ScrapMonster Author

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): According to latest statistics published by the World Steel Association, the world crude steel output by 66 countries reporting to the Association totaled 126.579 Million tonnes during February this year. The monthly output increased by 4.1% when compared with the same month last year. These 67 countries accounted for approximately 99% of the total world crude steel production in 2016.

The following table lists world’s top ten nations with regards to total crude steel output during February ‘17.

Also, the table given lists world’s top ten nations with regards to cumulative crude steel output during Jan-Feb ‘17.

Note: The above outputs are in thousand tonnes.

DRI production statistics

The preliminary data published by the World Steel Association indicates that the world direct reduced iron (DRI) production in February this year has declined sharply over the previous month.

The world DRI production during the month of February 2017 totaled 4.231 million metric tons, considerably down by 8.5% when compared with the 4.623 million metric tons production achieved during January this year.

According to World Steel data, Iran ranked first in DRI production during the month. India and Saudi Arabia were the second and third largest DRI producing nations.

The estimated DRI output by Iran during February this year was 1.200 million metric tons. The country’s DRI output in February declined modestly when compared with the previous month. The DRI output by Iran had totaled 1.325 million metric tons during the previous month. India’s DRI production in February 2017 totaled 1.149 million metric tons, which is marginally down when compared with the previous month output of 1.244 million metric tons. The Saudi Arabian DRI output in February this year amounted to 434,000 metric tons, which is slightly higher than the previous month output by the country.

The DRI output (in thousand metric tons) by the other eleven countries in February 2017 is as follows: Canada (94), Mexico (400), Trinidad & Tobago (Nil), Argentina (56), Peru (Nil), Venezuela (55), Egypt (289), Libya (20), South Africa (64), Qatar (157) and United Arab Emirates (312).

The World Steel production figures are based on the figures collected from 14 countries, which accounted for approximately 85% of the global DRI production in 2015.

Cumulative DRI output

The table given below lists world’s top ten nations with regards to cumulative DRI output during Jan-Feb ‘17.

Note: The above outputs are in thousand tonnes.