China Jan-Feb Steel output rises on strong margins
China’s daily steel output rose in January and February, as mills in the world’s top producer ramped up production amid firm steel margins and easier environmental restrictions.
Average daily steel output over the two months reached 2.54 million tonnes, up from 2.46 million tonnes in December and 2.32 million tonnes in the same months last year, according to latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
Mills took advantage of a change in winter anti-pollution restrictions after Beijing ditched blanket production cuts on heavy industry due to rising worries about slowing economic growth. Local authorities were instead allowed to adopt measures based on regional emission levels.
Total steel output for the two months reached 149.58 million tonnes, up 9.2 percent from a year earlier, the official data showed.
