East Asia now produces around two-thirds of the world’s steel. Japan led the region’s rise. The state-owned Yawata Works opened in 1901, and after 1945 Japan rebuilt its industry around large coastal works with oxygen steelmaking and continuous casting. The 1970 merger of Yawata and Fuji created Nippon Steel, and in 2003 NKK and Kawasaki Steel combined to form JFE. South Korea followed with POSCO, founded in 1968, whose Pohang works first tapped steel in 1973. Taiwan established China Steel Corporation in 1971.
China’s steel history includes the Anshan works, founded in 1916, and the backyard furnaces of the Great Leap Forward. Its modern industry dates from the reform era, beginning with the Baoshan works in Shanghai (1978), built with Japanese technical assistance. Output grew from around 130 million tonnes in 2000 to more than one billion tonnes a year from 2020, over half the world total.
Consolidation has since reshaped the Chinese industry. Baosteel and Wuhan merged in 2016 to form China Baowu, which went on to absorb Maanshan and TISCO. Ansteel took control of Benxi in 2021. Large private groups such as Shagang, Jianlong, Delong and Fangda have grown alongside the state-owned producers.
China
China Baowu Iron & Steel Group
China. Baosteel founded, 1978. Around 130 Mt in 2024, world #1.
China. Baoshan Iron & Steel Complex founded, 1978. Around 45 Mt a year.
China. WISCO construction begins, 1955. Over 30 Mt a year.
China. Founded in Anhui Province, 1953. Over 20 Mt a year.
China. Taiyuan Iron Works founded, 1934. Over 11 Mt a year.
China. Anshan Iron & Steel Works established, 1916. Around 60 Mt in 2024, world #3.
China. Founded in Liaoning Province, 1905. Over 12 Mt a year.
China. Hebei Iron & Steel founded, 1958. Around 42 Mt in 2024, world #5.
China. Shagang Steel founded in Jiangsu, 1975. Around 40 Mt in 2024, world #6.
China. Jianlong Group founded, 1999. Around 39 Mt in 2024, world #7.
China. Shijingshan Steel founded in Beijing, 1919. Around 32 Mt in 2024, world #9.
China. Xiangtan Iron & Steel founded, 1958. Around 25 Mt in 2024, world #13.
China. Founded as Teamsphere in Hebei Province, 1992. Around 28 Mt a year.
China. Liuzhou Iron & Steel founded, 1958. Around 19 Mt in 2024, world #18.
China. Company founded, 1993. Around 19 Mt in 2024, world #19.
China. Formed from Jinan & Laiwu merger, 2008. Around 19 Mt in 2024, world #17.
China. Founded by Shandong Group, 2003. Around 18 Mt in 2024, world #22.
Hong Kong. Citic Pacific established, 1979. Around 16 Mt in 2024, world #24.
China. Founded in Inner Mongolia, 1954. Around 15 Mt in 2024, world #26.
Japan, Korea & Taiwan
Japan. Fuji-Yawata merger creates Nippon Steel, 1970. Around 44 Mt in 2024, world #4.
Japan. NKK-Kawasaki merger creates JFE, 2003. Around 24 Mt in 2024, world #14.
South Korea. POSCO founded (Pohang Works), 1968. Around 38 Mt in 2024, world #8.
South Korea. Hyundai Pipe Company established, 1953. Around 18 Mt in 2024, world #21.
Taiwan. CSC established, 1971. Around 13 Mt in 2024, world #34.
Current News
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