Die Lage am Stahlmarkt: Nachfrage nach Stahl schwächt sich ab
Global crude steel production increased by 4.7% in 2018. Capacity utilization thus showed a moderate increase but continued to be low in a long-term perspective. In the wake of growth of the world economy slowing, global crude steel production is forecasted to increase by 1¾% only in 2019. In Germany, the economic environment has become less supportive for the steel sector already in 2018. Thus, crude steel production decrease by 2%. Since steel demand heavily depends on exports and investment in equipment, the economic forecast for 2019 suggests a dampening effect on steel production from this side. On the other hand, investment in construction continues to be supportive. In balance, we expect crude steel production to decline by 1.7% in 2019. This should also have a negative effect on employment in the iron and steel sector.
Döhrn, R. (2018), Die Lage am Stahlmarkt: Nachfrage nach Stahl schwächt sich ab. RWI Konjunkturberichte, 69, 4, 39-52