According to data released by the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF), the world’s crude stainless steel output totaled 35.4 million tons, rising by 5.2% year on year, hitting a new record high.

China has remained the largest stainless steel producer with 16.1 million tons in 2012, growing by 4.2% year on year.

However, the stainless steel production in Asia was down by 0.6% to 8.7 million tons. Taiwan’s stainless output dropped by 7.8%; Japan’s fell by 2.5%, both compared to 2011.

Meanwhile, Western Europe and Africa was the second largest stainless steel producing region in 2012 with 7.8 million tons, falling by 0.7% from a year earlier.