Turkey’s 2021 crude steel output marches toward record with high October figure

After reaching a historical high of 3.5 million mt in August, Turkish crude steel output reached the same high level again in October, notably up by 8% on year, with the support of newly added steel capacity, according to World Steel Association data Nov. 23.

Russian steel giant, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, resumed operation of its 2.3 million mt/year hot mill at MMK Metalurji in Turkey on Aug. 9, supporting Turkish crude steel output figures in recent months. Production of 200,000-260,000 mt of HRC is planned for 2021, with the plant due to reach full capacity in 2022.

Turkish mills’ crude steel output reached 33.3 million mt in the first ten months of the year, 14.2% higher on year, according to worldsteel.

If the increasing trend continues, the Turkish Steel Producers’ Association (TCUD) expects 2021 production to exceed 39 million mt, a record high, and notably higher than the 35.8 million mt produced in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

New Turkish steel mill investments announced this year could carry annual Turkish steel output substantially above 40 million mt in the coming years, and Turkey could even become Europe’s largest steel producer, surpassing Germany, industry sources observed.

Germany produced 33.6 million mt of crude steel in the first ten months of 2021, up 15.1% on year, according to worldsteel.

— Cenk Can