world production13 Jan 2014 14:15
The U.S. economy continued to recover from the global recession of 2008–09, but the recovery was slow. In 2012, U.S. production of austenitic (nickel-bearing) stainless steel decreased to 1.41 million tons—slightly less than production in 2011 but 22% greater than the reduced output of 1.16 million tons in 2009. Stainless steel has traditionally accounted for two-thirds of primary nickel use worldwide, with more than one-half of the steel going into the construction, food processing, and transportation sectors. China, the world’s leading producer, cast a record-high 11.5 million tons of austenitic stainless steel in 2012