Germany’s 2020 crude steel production down 10%

German crude steel production in 2020 was 10% lower year on year at 35.7 million mt, the lowest since 2009, according to data from steel federation WV Stahl, which also said it was the third consecutive year to see a fall.

Some 24.1 million mt of crude steel was produced via blast oxygen furnace in 2020, down 13%, while 11.5 million mt were produced via electric arc furnaces, down 3%.

Pig iron production in 2020 decreased 12% to 22.5 million mt, while hot-rolled steel production fell 9.8% to 30.95 million mt.

Production in the fourth quarter was up 9% year on year, mainly due to a weak Q4 in 2019.

Production has been increasing on a month-on-month basis since August when mills started to ramp up again following coronavirus pandemic-related production curbs.

December crude steel production was up 11% year on year to 3.1 million mt, some 2.39 million of which was produced via the BOF route, and 750,000 mt via EAFs, up 12%. Pig iron production increased 9.8% year on year in December to 2.2 million mt, while hot-rolled steel production saw a 15% increase to 2.6 million mt.

Market sources said further production increases were expected as more mills have been putting lines and furnaces back into operation.

— Laura Varriale