German steel production continues rebound in November

Around 3.4 million tonnes of crude steel were produced in Germany in November, 15% more than in November 2019, according to the monthly statistics of steel federation WV Stahl.

The increases were virtually equal for oxygen-route mills and for electric arc furnace-based mills, Kallanish observes. Throughout most of the year, oxygen-route steel, often used in automotive, had lagged behind long products made at EAF mills, but the restart of blast furnaces has contributed to its recovery.

November was the second month in succession that production rose on-year. However, the increase of 15% year-on-year must be seen against the backdrop of exceptionally weak production in November 2019, the federation notes.

January-November output remained heavily marked by the coronavirus crisis: crude steel production sank by close to -12% compared to the same period last year. After 2009, 2020 will in all probability be the weakest year for production since German reunification, WV Stahl notes.