World stainless steel production reached 5.9 million metric tonnes (mmt) in the third quarter of 2004, according to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF). This is a rise of 9.3% compared to the same period of 2003. Strong growth was seen in Europe, more than compensating for the lower-than-expected growth in the first quarter of 2004. YTD production for the Western Europe/Africa region stands at 7.1 mmt, 4.6% more than in the same period of 2003. Total production for the first nine months of 2004 has risen to 18.2 mmt, a rise of 7.3% compared with the first three quarters of 2003. Stainless steel production in Asia was again strong with YTD production of 8.7 mmt. This is almost 11% higher than for the same period of 2003. Stainless steel production in The Americas stands at 2.2 mmt. This is a rise of 4.6% YTD. YTD production in Eastern Europe has fallen by 4.7% compared to the first nine months of 2003.
