Latest data released by IMIDRO show that Mobarakeh Steel Company produced 6.68 million tons of semi-finished steel products during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (started March 20).
The mill's semi-finished output was 7% higher than the first eight months of the previous fiscal year.
The company’s output during the eighth month of the current fiscal year (Oct. 22-Nov. 20) increased by 11% to reach 837,715 tons.
MSC and its subsidiary Saba Steel produced 5.5 million tons of finished steel during the eight months under review. As a result, the company maintained its position as the largest Iranian steelmaker.
Located in southwestern Isfahan, Mobarakeh Steel Company is the biggest steel producer in Iran and the Middle East and North Africa region.
In terms of semis production, MSC was followed by Khuzestan Steel Company with 2.59 million tons of output during the eight months. The number indicates a growth of 3% compared with the same period of last year.
KSC’s semi-finished output increased by 2% in the eighth month of the year to 314,218 tons.
Esfahan Steel Company came next with 1.551 million tons of bloom output during the eight months, marking a decline of 3% year-on-year. The company's monthly output of semis dropped by 14% to 188,987 tons.
South Kaveh Steel Company with 822,722 tons (up 5% YoY), Khorasan Steel Company with 656,926 tons (down 13% YOY) and Chadormalu Steel Company with 652,221 tons (down 2% YOY) were other main producers of semi-finished steel products during the eight months to Nov. 22.
South Kaveh Steel Company ranked fourth in terms of monthly semi-output production during the month to Nov. 21. The company’s output stood at 138,847 tons during the one-month period, up 38%.
Chadormalu Steel Company followed with 94,386 tons of semis output during the month under review, marking a 4% increase YOY.
The heavyweight Iranian steel mills under the IMIDRO study collectively produced 15.13 million tons of semi-finished products in the first eight months of the current fiscal year, recording an 8% growth year-on-year.
A total of 1.97 million tons of semi-finished steel were produced by these mills during the eighth month.
In terms of production of finished products, MSC was followed by ESCO with 1.517 tons (unchanged compared with the same period of last year).
Other key producers of finished products were Khorasan Steel Company, Bonab Sheet Company, Ahvaz Rolling and Pipe Manufacturing Company, Azarbaijan Steel Company, Sirjan Steel Company and INSIG.
A total of 9.67 million tons of finished steel products, including hot- and cold-rolled coils, rebar, beams, pipes, wide and galvanized sheets, were produced by the heavyweights during the first eight months of the fiscal year, up 5% YOY.
Their production of finished steel products stood at 1.235 million tons in the eighth fiscal month to register a 15% growth YOY.
73% Rise in MSC’s Monthly Exports
Mobarakeh Steel Company also recorded a substantial increase in exports during the eighth month of the current Iranian year (Oct. 22-Nov.20): 201,429 tons, marking a rise of 73%.
MSC topped the list of steel mills in terms of exports during the month under review. However, comparing the performance of major steel producers during the first eight months of the current fiscal year shows that Khouzestan Steel Company is still Iran’s leading exporter.
Khouzestan Steel Company exported 950,024 tons of slab, bloom and billet during the first eight months of the current fiscal year (March. 20-Nov. 20), down 25%.
MSC came next with 681,233 tons, registering a 32% decrease compared with the same period of last fiscal year.
According to data released by Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, KSC’s exports during the eighth month of the year stood at 72,411 tons, down 60% year-on-year.
KSC exported a record high of 2.76 million tons in the last fiscal year (March 2017-18), marking a growth of 34% YOY.
Esfahan Steel Company’s exports totaled 641,585 tons during the eight months under review to register an 18% year-on-year decline.
The company’s exports during the month under review went down by 7% to 90,970 tons.
South Kaveh Steel Company took the next spot with 418,400 tons of billet exports to post a 24% YOY fall. The mill recorded a 2% decline in monthly exports, with 84,500 tons.
Chadormalu Iron Ore Processing was next with 362.231 tons of billet exports, nearly 29,932 tons of which were shipped during the eighth month.
IMIDRO’s data show a 105% increase in company's exports in the first eight months of the year and a 36% jump in the eighth month's shipments. Hormozgan Steel Company came after, exporting 313,482 tons during the eight months, down 41%. HSC shipped 21,031 tons during the month to Nov. 22, marking a 74% decline YOY.
Saba Foolad registered the highest jump among major steel exporters, during the first eight months of the current fiscal year. The mill exported 251,888 tons, 232% higher than the same period of last year. Bonab Steel Company registered the highest growth during the eighth month of the year, 329% to 8,847 tons.
The data used in this report are based on preliminary figures provided by IMIDRO on Iran's large-scale producers and lacks details on most private producers' shipments.
A more detailed report is usually published by Iran Steel Producers Association later.
The mills under IMIDRO survey collectively exported 3.8 million tons of semi-finished and finished steel products during the eight months to Nov. 20 to register a 20% decline compared with the same period of last year. Monthly figures indicate a 12% fall in exports year-on-year.
A surge in domestic demand and price controlling policies employed by the Ministry of Industries, Mining and Trade are among key factors behind the fall in major steel producers' exports.
Production Capacity Nears 40m Tons p.a.
The aggregate annual capacity of Iranian steel companies has reached 39.82 million tons, according to new data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.
Presently, there are 84 steel mills in Iran.
Mobarakeh Steel Company, Iran’s biggest steelmaker, accounts for 18% of the total production capacity with 7.2 million tons per year.
Khuzestan Steel Company comes next with 3.8 million tons, followed by Esfahan Steel Company with 3.6 million tons and South Kaveh Steel Company with 2.4 million tons.
As per the goals set in the 20-Year National Vision Plan (2005-25), Iran seeks to become the world’s sixth largest steelmaker by 2025 with a crude steel output capacity of 55 million tons.
According to Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, Iran’s steel production capacity is expected to reach 43.6 million tons by the end of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2021), while actual production is estimated to hit 31.1 million tons to utilize 71% of the nominal capacity.
IMIDRO is a state-run enterprise and Iran's biggest holding company active in the mining sector.
