GLOBAL STEEL PRODUCTION FORECAST TO PICK UP IN THE SECOND HALF OF 2009

摘要

The global economic downturn shows no signs of recovery in the short term. First quarter steel output, this year, will be approximately 23 percent below the figure recorded in the same period in 2008. The decrease for blastfurnace iron production will also turn out to be lower at near 18 percent. This is mainly due to only modest reductions in Asia as steelmakers prepare for higher output in the second trimester. Direct Reduced Ironmaking should fair even better with a 14 percent cut in the first three months of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.