France produced 835 thousand tons of steel in January

In January 2024, French steelmakers increased steel production by 1.5% compared to the same month in 2023, to 835 thousand tons. Thus, the country ranked 17th in the global ranking of steel-producing countries (71) by the WorldSteel Association.

Compared to the previous month, steel production by French steelmakers increased by 2.6 times, as in December 2023, production volumes were at a record low of 325 thousand tons.

Overall, steel production in the EU countries in January 2024 decreased by 1.8% compared to January 2023, to 3.9 million tons. Global steel production for the month amounted to 148.1 million tons, down 1.6% 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). t/y), 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%.

Low steel production last year was due to the weak market conditions that have been observed since the fall of 2022. The European steel industry is facing high production costs at a time when demand for domestic steel products is weak amid a flood of cheaper imported products. In the autumn and winter, many companies limit their capacity to balance supply and demand and stabilize product prices.