Sinks of steel in China–addition to in-use stock, export and loss

Abstract

China has become the largest producer of crude steel in the world since 1996, which places the country under huge pressure in terms of resources, energy, and the environment. Examining the driver of steel demand is of great significance to the structural adjustment and sustainable development of the steel industry. The researchers calculate the steel demand in China from 2000 to 2009 based on three sinks (steel stock, export, and loss) by taking the four stages of steel life cycle (production, fabrication and manufacturing, use, and waste management and recycling) as the study object. The researchers conclude that addition to in-use stock is the main driver of steel demand and that the 10-year average addition to inuse stock accounted for 77% of the steel sinks, in which 55% of the addition occurs in the building sector, and the steel for this segment is of low strength with large consumption. Based on the analysis of existing policies, the researchers propose that the steel demand structure will develop toward diversification and that the building sector will realize the upgrade of products as soon as possible to improve construction quality. Under the pressure of rising cost for imported resources, the export ratio of steel products should be controlled appropriately. Thus, recycling economy should be developed to reduce steel losses.