Germany’s May crude steel output rises 8.9% on month to 3.66 million mt

Germany’s crude steel production in May rose 8.9% on the month to 3.66 million mt, German steel federation WV Stahl said June 22. Output in May was 42.7% higher from the year-ago month.

Crude steel output in Germany has surged due to higher demand and a backlog in orders, with production in May close to the monthly high in March, according to data from the Berlin-based steel producers group.

“Crude steel production in Germany is still pointing upwards,” WV Stahl said in a statement. The group represents steelmakers including ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, ArcelorMittal, Salzgitter, SHS Group and HKM.

WV Stahl said from January to May 2021, crude steel production was up around 15% on the year to 17.2 million mt, while May’s annual gain was due to the effect of the coronavirus pandemic in the year-earlier period.

Blast furnace-based BOF steel production rose 11.2% on the month to 2.54 million mt in May, while pig iron production saw an 11.8% increase to 2.34 million mt.

Steel production by electric-arc furnace producers increased 4% from April to 1.12 million mt in May. Hot-rolled steel production was up 4.2% to 3.09 million mt in May, WV Stahl said.

— Hector Forster