Iran's direct-reduced iron (DRI) production rose by 24% year on year to 24 million mt over the first 11 months of the current Iranian year (to February 19), according to the Iranian Steel Producers' Association.
Some 19.8 million mt of DRI was consumed by domestic steel producers in the same period, 4% lower year on year, ISPA said in a report published Monday on its website.
Iran's semi-finished steel production also rose by 19% year on year to 20 million mt, including 10.64 million mt of billet and 9.36 million mt of slabs, according to ISPA.
Production of finished steel products was still lower than semi-finished products at 18.11 million mt, a 9% increase on year, including 7.06 million mt of hot-rolled coils (11% higher) and 6.16 million mt of rebar (a 7% decline).
Iran's coated strip output reached a record over this period, and some 1.39 million mt of different coated strips were produced by Iranian mills which is 40% more than in the same period last year.
Iranian cold-rolled coil output also reached 2.14 million mt, 23% more on the year.
Iran's apparent steel consumption also rose but was lower than production.
According to ISPA, Iran consumed 14.23 million mt of semi-finished products during the 11-month period, up 2% year on year but 5.57 million mt lower than the amount produced.
About 18.8 million mt of finished products were consumed, up 7% from the same period last year.
