Global stainless steel melt shop output reached 48.0 million tonnes in the first three quarters of 2025, according to new figures published by the world stainless association. This represents a 3.0% increase compared with the same period in 2024.
Third-quarter production amounted to 16.1 million tonnes, up 2.3% year on year.
Regional trends
The data shows a mixed regional picture:
-
Europe (excl. Russia & Ukraine) saw output fall sharply, down 11.3% in Q3 and 4.2% year to date.
-
United States production increased by 11.6% in Q3 and 9.3% over the nine-month period.
-
China, by far the largest producer, recorded growth of 3.9% in Q3 and 4.7% year to date.
-
Asia excluding China reported modest increases: 3.9% in Q3 and 1.1% across the first nine months.
-
The “Others” category (Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine) saw the steepest declines, with Q3 output down 20.1% and year-to-date production down 5.7%.
Stainless steel melt shop production (000 metric tonnes)
| Region | Q3 2024 | Q3 2025 | Q1–Q3 2024 | Q1–Q3 2025 | % change Q3 | % change YTD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe (1) | 1,506 | 1,337 | 4,693 | 4,498 | -11.3% | -4.2% |
| USA | 482 | 538 | 1,509 | 1,649 | 11.6% | 9.3% |
| China | 9,898 | 10,284 | 29,075 | 30,453 | 3.9% | 4.7% |
| Asia w/o China | 3,570 | 3,709 | 10,657 | 10,771 | 3.9% | 1.1% |
| Others (2) | 252 | 201 | 688 | 649 | -20.1% | -5.7% |
| Total | 15,708 | 16,069 | 46,623 | 48,020 | 2.3% | 3.0% |
(1) Excluding Russia and Ukraine
(2) Brazil, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine