World steel output rose an annual 4.9 per cent in August, regaining a level close to that of August 2008 before the effects of the global economic downturn were felt, an industry study said.
The World Steel Association said production in the 66 countries it covers came to 113 million tonnes in August, up 4.9 per cent from August 2009.
"World steel production in August 2010 was almost at the same level as August 2008 before the impact of the global economic crisis was felt," the WSA said in its montly report.
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But output declined in August from July, when it came to 115 million tonnes, and from June, when 119 million tonnes were produced.
The WSA found that while China, Turkey and Iran were producing steel at levels higher than in August 2008, the industry in the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil and Japan had not yet returned to pre-crisis output.
Production in China fell 1.1 per cent to 51.6 million tonnes in August compared with the same month last year.
Elsewhere in Asia steel output in annual terms rose 7.1 per cent in Japan and 6.4 per cent in South Korea.
In Europe, production rose 17.1 per cent in Germany from August 2009 and 45.4 per cent in Italy. Turkish production gained 11.3 per cent.
Output was up 23.7 per cent in the United States at 6.9 million tonnes and 7.8 per cent in Brazil.
