Steel Instutute of the Union of German Metallurgists (Düsseldorf, Germany):

Kerkhoff H. J., President of “Steel” Economical Union, e-mail: redaktion@stahleisen.de
Teuringer M., Dr., Director on Economics

It is noted that 2016 was not simple year for the iron and steel industry. According to the data of “Steel” Economical Union, global production of raw steel should decrease approximately by 3%, or by 41.5 mln. tons, owing to the crisis events at the global markets. It will be the lowest level during last 20 years, not taking into account the crisis years 1996 and 2009. Nevertheless, parameters of use of production capacities is leaving on the former level (84%). It is suggested that 2017 will be the decisive year for the iron and steel industry in Germany and in EC in general, and it seems very important to realize the fair competition rules at the EC steel market and to develop the correct policy in the field of power engineering and climate.