(Minews) - Iran produced 15.42 million tons of crude steel last year, showing a 6.6-percent rise compared with the figure for 2012, which was 14.46 million tons.
According to statistics released by World Steel Association (WSA), China topped the list of crude steel producers of 2013 with 779.04 million tons.
Iran ranked 15th among 2013 crude steel producers, which shows no change compared with the 2012 ranking.
At second, third and fourth places were Japan, the US and India with 110.57 million tons, 86.95 million tons and 81.21 million tons respectively, the report said.
In December 2013, Iran produced 1.35 million tons of crude steel, which is 13.5 percent higher than the corresponding figure of last year, which was 1.18 million tons.
Global steel production in December 2013 amounted to 129.19 million tons, which show a 0.8-percent growth compared with the October output that reached 128.132 million tons.
Total production of steel in 2013 amounted to 1.58 billion tons, marking a 4.7-percent rise compared with the 2012 output of 1.51 billion tons.
The figures show the main reason for increasing global steel production is due to the rise in the production of Asian countries, mainly China.
Most major Asian countries registered a rise in production, while South Korea, which ranks sixth in the list of world producer, had a 4.4-percent decline in production.
WSA is the international trade body of iron and steel industry. The association represents approximately 170 steel producers, including 17 of the world's 20 largest steel companies, national and regional steel industry associations and steel research institutes.
The production of its members comprises around 85 percent of world steel production.
