While past episodes have focused on other parts of the world, this episode concentrates on Brazil and how the structure of its energy supply, mining, and steelmaking industries will define the path to decarbonization. Gerdau is the largest producer of charcoal in the world, so if you are interested in the role of biomass and charcoal in low-carbon steelmaking, this is your episode.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports declined 3% from 314,000 short tons in January, 2023 to 304,000 tons in January, 2024.
According to license data, rebar imports declined mainly from Algeria, Mexico, and Turkey, while parallel flange sections imports fell primarily from Spain, the United Kingdom, and the UAE. In contrast, wire rod imports rose compared to last January due to higher imports from Ukraine, Poland, and Brazil.
Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports increased 8% from 660,000 short tons in January, 2023 to 712,000 tons in January, 2024. The increase was mainly due to higher hot rolled imports from South Korea, Brazil, and Canada.
US flat products imports over the last six months (August, 2023 to January, 2024) were 3% lower than in the same period the year before, with gains from cut plate (+20%) and hot rolled (+2%) offsetting declines from cold rolled (-21%) and hot dip galvanized (-5%).
US flat products import licenses
January 2016 to January 2024
Short tons
“Steel coils in storage in the hot-dip coating line, designed by Friedrich-Ernst von Garnier”, thyssenkrupp AG, Brueckenhausen Plant, from Worldsteel Image Library
Episode 5 of The Green Steel Challenge podcast has just been released featuring Danieli Group’s Giacomo Mareschi Danieli. He discusses how energy availability is key to building low-emissions steelmaking plants and what he sees as the most technically advanced projects around the world.
The podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel. Other episodes will include André Bier Gerdau Johannpeter at Gerdau and John Lichtenstein at World Steel Dynamics..
Crude steel production in China as reported by Worldsteel was 67.4 million metric tonnes in December, 14.9% lower than in December, 2022. Full-year 2023 crude steel production in China was 1,019.1 million tonnes, a 0% rise on full-year 2022.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show China’s net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) rose 50% compared to December last year. Net finished steel exports for the full year 2023 were 46% higher than in 2022.
Worldsteel published December, 2023 and full-year 2023 world crude steel production today. World crude steel output was 135.7 million metric tonnes in December, 2023, 5.3% lower than in December, 2022. Full-year 2023 crude steel production was 1,849.7 million tonnes, 0.1% lower than in full-year 2022.
China produced 1,019 million tonnes of crude steel in 2023, accounting for 55% of world output. China’s production between 2022 and 2023 was flat while production in the rest of the world was -0.2%. Asian output outside of China rose 2.8% over the same period.
Crude steel production in the European Union 27 countries fell 7.4% between 2022 and 2023 with German output -3.9% and Italian production -2.1%. In North America, US production rose 0.2%, Canadian production rose 1.3% and Mexican output fell 11.6%.
Other significant changes in the top ten world producing countries include declines in Japan (-2.5%) and Brazil (-6.5%), but increases in India (+11.8%) and Russia (estimated +5.6%).
