France increased steel production by 36.4% m/m in May

In May 2024, French steelmakers increased steel production by 36.4% compared to the previous month – to 1.09 million tons. The country was thus ranked 18th in the global ranking of steel-producing countries (71) by the WorldSteel Association.

Compared to the same month in 2023, steel production by French steelmakers in May 2024 increased by 34.5%. Thus, the volume of steel produced increased to its highest level since November 2023.

In January-May, steel production in France increased by 6.6% compared to the same period in 2023 – to 4.43 million tons. Average monthly steel production for this period amounted to 885.8 thousand tons compared to 830.6 thousand tons in January-May 2023.

In general, steel production in the EU countries in January-May 2024 decreased by 0.1% compared to January-May 2023 – to 56.1 million tons. Global steel production for 5 months amounted to 793.2 million tons, down 0.1% y.y.

As GMK Center reported earlier, in 2023, France reduced steel production by 17.4% compared to 2022, to 10.01 million tons. The average monthly steel production for the year amounted to 840.7 thousand tons, while in 2022 the figure was 1.01 million tons (-16.76% y/y).

Steel production in the European Union amounted to 126.3 million tons in 2023, down 7.4% y/y.

There are 10 steel mills in France, including Saarstahl Ascoval Saint-Saulve (capacity of 730 ktpa), LME Trith-Saint-Léger (850 ktpa), ArcelorMittal Dunkerque (6.75 million tpa), Kehler Baden Steel Works (2.5 million tpa), Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850 ktpa), Riva Sam Neuves-Maisons (850 ktpa), Riva Iton Seine Bonnieres Sur Seine (550 thousand tons/y), Riva Alpa Gargenville (700 thousand tons/y), Riva Sam Montereau (720 thousand tons/y), ArcelorMittal Méditerranée Fos sur Mer (4 million tons/y), Celsa France Boucau (1.2 million tons/y). The total capacity of the plants is 18.85 million tons per year. Thus, in 2023, capacity utilization was 53.1%.