World Ferrous Scrap Export Exceeds 100 Million tonnes in 2005

Worldwide export volume of ferrous scrap was likely to exceed 100 million tonnes in 2005, which represents around 9% of annual raw steel production in the world. Worldwide ferrous scrap export increased by 15.04 million tonnes to 92.57 million tonnes in 2004 from the previous year, according to the statistics by International Iron and Steel Institute. The export continued to increase every year after decreasing by 4.77 million tonnes in 2001 from the previous year, which increased by 6.05 million tonnes in 2002, by 17.27 million tonnes in 2003 and by 15.04 million tonnes in 2004. The global market of ferrous scrap export grows to more than 2 trillion yen per year, when ferrous scrap consumption has increased in Turkey and China. Turkey is the largest steel making country in Europe except for members of European Union (EU) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). China is under the remarkable economic growth.Ferrous scrap export increased to 31.5 million tonnes in EU 15 countries in 2004, 1.6 times of that in 1998. The export increased to 26.87 million tonnes in Eastern Europe and CIS, 1.8 times of 1998. The export doubled in the U.S.A. to 11.9 million tonnes in 2004 from 1998. Japan export increased to 6.81 million tonnes in 2004, 1.8 times of 1998.The export has also increased in Africa, the Middle and Near East and Asia except Japan, while ferrous scrap was scarcely exported from these areas before. In 2004, 34% of worldwide ferrous scrap export was from EU 15 countries, 30% from Eastern Europe and CIS, 13% from the U.S.A. and 7% from Japan.Worldwide ferrous scrap import increased by 12.57 million tonnes to 96.1 million tonnes in 2004 from the previous year. Turkey was the largest importer in all countries, which imported 12.77 million tonnes of ferrous scrap in 2004, doubled from 1998. China was the second largest importer, which imported 10.19 million tonnes in 2004. Chinese ferrous scrap import expanded to 5 times of 1998.By regions, EU 15 countries imported ferrous scrap most in the world in 2004 with 35.98 million tonnes, though the sources are mainly in the region. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was the second largest importing area, which imported 6.92 million tonnes in 2004, 5.7 times of 1998. China, South Korea and Taiwan scarcely export ferrous scrap. Imported ferrous scrap is the important material for raw steel production in these countries.