Global stainless steel production rose 2.5% y/y in Q1

Global stainless steel production rose 2.5% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 15.8 million tons. This is according to data from the non-profit organization World Stainless Association.

Asia produced 13.4 million tons of stainless steel in January–April, which is 3.3% more than in the first quarter of 2025. China accounted for 9.84 million tons (+4.3% year-on-year).

Meanwhile, in the EU, production of this product fell by 4.6% year-on-year during the period, to 1.5 million tons.

The United States produced 0.6 million tons of stainless steel in the first quarter (+2.3% year-on-year), while other countries (Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom) produced 0.3 million tons (+6.7% year-on-year).

As a reminder, by the end of 2025, global stainless steel production had grown by 2.1% year-on-year – to 64.2 million tons, with China’s output for the period standing at 40.87 million tons. In 2024, production increased by 7% year-on-year – to 62.62 million tons.

As reported by GMK Center, the Italian government will incentivize stainless steel production using scrap. The 2026 budget law provided for financial incentives for such producers through 2028. The aim of this measure is to promote decarbonization and energy conservation in production processes, which will lead to a reduction in energy consumption by companies.