France reduced steel production by 11.2% m/m in April

In April 2024, French steelmakers reduced steel production by 11.2% compared to the previous month, to 800 thousand tons. The country was thus ranked 19th 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 April 2024 fell by 3.5%. Thus, the volume of steel produced fell to its lowest level since the beginning of the year.

In January-April 2024, steel production in France decreased by 0.1% compared to the same period in 2023 – to 3.34 million tons. Average monthly steel production for this period amounted to 834.5 thousand tons compared to 835.5 thousand tons in January-April 2023.

Overall, steel production in the European Union in January-April 2024 decreased by 0.6% compared to January-April 2023 – to 44.4 million tons. Global steel production for 4 months amounted to 625.4 million tons, down 0.9% y/y.

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 tpa), Riva Sam Montereau (720 ktpa), ArcelorMittal Méditerranée Fos sur Mer (4 million tpa), Celsa France Boucau (1.2 million tpa). The total capacity of the plants is 18.85 million tons per year. Thus, in 2023, capacity utilization was 53.1%.