German crude steel output jumps 38% on year in June: WV Stahl

Germany’s crude steel production in June jumped 38% on the year, supported by rising demand, steelmakers’ association WV Stahl said July 22.

Crude steel production rose to 3.42 million mt in June, of which 2.27 million mt was produced by the blast furnace/basic oxygen furnace route and 1.15 million mt by the electric arc furnace route, the association said.

Pig iron production rose 45.3% from a year previously to 2.1 million mt, while hot rolled steel products output was up 45% to 3.04 million mt.

German steel volumes have been in recovery for the first half of the year, with crude steel output rising to 20.62 million mt, up 18.1% on the same period in 2020, WV Stahl said. However, steel production in H1 remained overall below 2018 levels, it said.

Of the H1 crude steel total, production by the BF-BOF route rose 20.6% from a year ago to 14.12 million mt, while EAF-based output rose 13.1% to 6.51 million mt, it said. Pig iron output grew 19.4% to 13.02 million mt, while output of hot rolled steel products was up 20.4% to 18.29 million mt.

Steel volumes are being supported by global steel users who are increasing their production and global steel demand is also supported by investment programs, the association said.

Prices for some steel products rose to record levels during H1 on stimulus-led demand as European economies recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, causing a tightness in some product areas.

S&P Global Platts assessed Northwest European hot-rolled coil down Eur2/mt at Eur1,170/mt July 22 ($1,378.14/mt) ex-works Ruhr.

No significant spot availability was reported for Q4 in the Ruhr region July 22. Stock levels are expected to increase as more imports arrive during the summer months.

— Laura Varriale and Diana Kinch