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Global Demand on the Rise
for 200 Series Stainless Steels

May 25, 2004 — The International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) has released a survey of its members on the production of stainless steel by grade structures. The survey, based on 20 million tonnes of crude stainless steel produced in 2003, showed that low nickel “200 series” accounted for 7.5% (1.5 million tonnes) of the worldwide stainless crude steel output.

Almost 72% of crude stainless production in 2003 was of conventional 300-series austenitic chromium-nickel grades. Approximately 21% of production was 400-series ferritic stainless, while duplex stainless steels achieved a market share just under 0.5%. The volume of austenitic and ferritic molybdenum-containing steels was approximately 1.8 million tonnes.

Due to the volatility in the price of nickel the discussion about replacing conventional 300-series nickel-containing austenitic grades grew worldwide. The discussion was concentrated in and around China – the strongest growing and by far the largest stainless steel market in the world.

Since mid-2002 the Chinese market has started demanding low-nickel austenitic grades, and their consumption is accelerating in China. This raises some concern if the 200-series grades are used in applications they were not designed for and could be exposed to corrosion attack.

Until mid-2002 the 200-series austenitic chromium-manganese grades and derivatives were considered as a regional issue in India. These stainless steel grades gained importance in India during the last nickel price crisis at the end of the 1980s.

The International Stainless Steel Forum is a non-profit organization, which serves as a world forum on various aspects of the international stainless steel industry. Founded in 1996, ISSF has its own Secretary General, Board of Directors, Committees and budgets and is legally a part of the International Iron and Steel Institute. ISSF is based in Brussels, Belgium.

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