The World Steel Association (worldsteel) has published the 2015 edition of the ‘World Steel in Figures’ report, which shows an increase in steel production as well as provides an overview of steel industry activities from crude steel production to apparent steel use.
The report mentions that, despite continued turbulence around the world last year, crude steel production totalled 1 665 Mt, which was an increase of 1%, compared with 2013.
With China dominating the steel industry in the past decade, owing to the current events in the country, the steel industry is now entering a period of pause before undoubtedly picking up again when markets – other than China – drive new demand.
At present, China represents about 18% of the global steel market, which the report points out will decline in years to come.
With more than one-billion people moving to towns and cities, between now and 2030, the report predicts, the impact of urbanisation will play a key role in the future of the steel industry and its spreading beyond China.
Urbanisation will create substantial new demand for steel to be used in infrastructure developments such as water, energy and mass transit systems, as well as major construction and housing programmes.
worldsteel director-general Dr Edwin Basson mentions in the report that steel is an innovative material necessary for society to advance. It is adaptable enough to meet existing and future challenges. Moreover, it has evolved to meet the challenges of high-speed railway, high-rise buildings, the revolution in automotive design, renewable energy and deep-sea marine applications.
“Consequently, we want to maintain the strength of steel, but also want it to be light enough to compete with alternative materials. Steel has been able to satisfy all these demands and will continue to do so into the future,” he notes.
Basson also highlights that the most important impact steel can have is through the circular economy, which demands zero waste and reduced use of new materials, as well as encouraging the reuse and recycling of materials.