Slight recovery in world steel production. According to figures published by the World Steel Association (WSA), steel production reached new records in 2010 due to growth in the Chinese economy and the recovery experienced in the more advanced economies. 1.4 million tonnes of steel were produced in 2010, 15% more than the previous year when production was severely affected by the economic crisis. The WSA explains that all major steel producing countries showed double-digit growth in 2010. The advanced economies experienced sharp falls in production during the crisis and are now displaying the fastest growth rates, especially the European Union and North America, whilst rates have remained relatively stable in Asia and the Community of Independent States (CIS). Europe as a whole (EU27 and CIS) produced 315,000,000 tonnes of steel, 90% more than the previous year (265.5 million). There were sharp disparities between the EU and the CIS: the EU27 produced 173 million tonnes (147 million for the 15 oldest members of the Union), a 25% increase on 2009 levels, whilst the CIS produced 108.5 million tonnes, only 11% more than in 2009. This increase is primarily linked to economic recovery in Germany (+34%) and the healthy position of its top-flight car manufacturers, as well as the recovery in its order books for machine tools. France is the fourth biggest steel producer in Europe and the 15th biggest in the world. Last year it experienced a growth rate of 20%. The US experienced the most spectacular rebound of +38% (80 million tonnes), following its staggering fall in 2009 and it now accounts for at least 5% of total production in the world. Annual production in Asia reached 898 million tonnes, a slight increase on 2009 levels (+11.6%). Asia's total global share now stands at 63.5% (as opposed to 65.5% in 2009). In China, the increase in volume levels did not go above 9%. The Chinese government has put a brake on an overheating of the property market, subsequently limiting steel demand and reducing China's share of world production to 44% (as opposed to 47% in 2009). Industrial countries have still not regained their pre-crisis levels. Steel production volumes in Europe remain 15% less than those in 2007, whilst this disparity in the US is 20%. Thus, overcapacity remains high and demand and expectations in the second half of the year were not met. At an international level, steel capacity take-up rates rose to 82% in April but fell to 74% by the end of the year, the same level as during the crisis. Even a sharp increase in production in 2011 will not reabsorb this overcapacity. Experts are forecasting an increase of only 5.3% in production on last year's rate. According to Unicredit analysts, demand is expected to remain robust in Asia and northern Europe. Falling demand is expected to bottom out in southern Europe. Nonetheless, this evolution is partly linked to expected steel purchases in a context of price rises, and European and US distributors are remaining cautious, notes Unicredit. Heavyweight sectors, such as machine tools and mines are expected to demonstrate high demand, the automobile sector is expected to be less dynamic and the construction sector will continue to function at a low level of demand. The top 10 of steel producing countries in 2010 were: 1) China (626.7 million tonnes; +9.3% compared to 2009 levels); 2) Japan (109.6 million tonnes; +25.2%); 3) US (80.6 million tonnes, +38.5%); 4) Russia (67 million tonnes; +11.7%); 5) India (66.8 million tonnes; +6,4%); 6) South Korea (58.5 million tonnes; +20.3%); 7) Germany (43.8 million tonnes; +34.1%); 8) Ukraine (33.6 million tonnes; +12.4%); 9) Brazil (32.8 million tonnes; +23.8%); 10) Turkey (29 million tonnes; +14.6%). (I.L./transl.fl)