India slips to world's fourth-largest steel maker's spot in 2010

New Delhi : India slipped one step to become the fourth largest steel producer in the world in 2010 with 68.3 million tonne (MT) production, according to World Steel Association (WSA). India had produced 63.5 MT steel in 2009.

Marching past India and Russia, the US became the third-largest producer of the alloy with 80.5 MT output in 2010. It was the fifth largest steel maker in 2009. However, there was no change in the first two slots. With 626.7 MT production, China remained on top while with 109.6 MT output, Japan was the second highest producer in 2010. Despite 6.9 MT additional production, Russia also closed the year one notch down to become the fifth highest maker of the alloy in the world. It produced 66.9 MT steel in 2010. WSA's figures, which list the top 65 steel-making nations accounting for 98% of the global steel output, reveal that the total global steel output in 2010 was 1,413.5 MT, up from 1,230.9 MT in 2009. China had produced 573.6 MT in 2009. The association represents around 180 steel producers, including 18 of the world's 20 largest steel companies. Its members produce around 85% of the global steel. There were no Indian firms among the top-five producers of the alloy in the bygone year. The main producers were ArcelorMittal, Baosteel, Posco, Nippon Steel and JFE and their cumulative contribution was 236.7 MT to the world's total production. These five were the top-five steel makers in 2009 as well. ArcelorMittal produced 98.2 MT, Baosteel 37 MT, Posco 35.4 MT, Nippon Steel 35.4 MT and JFE 31 MT in 2010. Tata Steel's 23.2 MT production was the world's seventh largest in 2010. Steel Authority of India (SAIL) was at the 18th position with 13.6 MT production, WSA said.