South Africa’s apparent steel use remained much the same in 2011, at 5.3-million tons of finished steel products, slightly up from 5-million tons the previous year ,World Steel Association reported.

The association’s ‘World Steel in Figures 2012’ report that was released on Friday, revealed that South African steel use a person was 108.4 kg in the year, compared with 101.2 kg a person in the previous year.

The report also states that global apparent steel use was also somewhat stagnant at 1.37-billion tons finished steel products, compared with 1.3-billion tons in 2010.

China remained the biggest steel user, accounting for 45.5% of global consumption.

Globally, apparent steel use a person was measured to be 214.7 kg of finished steel products, an increase from 205.5 kg recorded in 2010. The European Union came in as the region with the highest use per capita, at 310 kg. The country with the highest use a person was South Korea, at 1 156.6 kg.

On the production side, China held its position as the largest steel producer, accounting for 683.9-million tons or 45.1% of the world total of 1.52-billion tons, an increase from 1.43-billion tons produced globally in 2010.

Second was the North American Free Trade Agreement member countries, which only accounted for 7.7% of world steel production.

South Africa produced 7.5-million tons of steel in 2011, levelling with the 2010 output of 7.6-million and maintaining its 21st place ranking among steel-producing countries.

In 2011, 1.33-billion tons of finished steel was produced globally, with 31.4% exported. This was up from 1.24-billion tons finished steel produced in 2010 31.1% of which was exported.

ArcelorMittal was listed as the top steel-producing company for 2011, followed by the Hebei Group and the Baosteel Group.

The steel industry directly employs more than two-million people worldwide, two-million contractors and four-million people in supporting industries, including construction, transport and energy.