The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) has announced that stainless crude steel production in the first quarter of 2005 was 6.5 million metric tons (mmt). This is a rise of 7.4% compared to the same period in 2004.
Growth was strongest in the Asia region with production reaching 3.3 mmt in the first quarter. This is 14.2% higher than for the first quarter of 2004. Driving forces were China and India, where new capacities are in the commissioning phase. South Korea and Taiwan, China also showed strong growth rates. Production in Japan was flat.