As the largest steel producer in the world, China plays the most important role in the global steel products market. China’s CRC production has increased from about 25.620.000 tonnes in 2012 to 45.110.000 tonnes in 2021.
China’s cold rolled steel coil exports have increased from 4.210.000 tonnes in 2012 to about 8.150.000 tonnes in 2021. China’s average import of CRC during these years was equal to 3.200.000 tonnes. China’s CRC imports decreased from 3.950.000 tonnes in 2012 to 2.880.000 tonnes in 2021. China’s CRC market is growing due to the growth of industries in this country.
The cold rolled steel coil is the result of re-rolling hot steel sheet; actually, this rolling is done at ambient temperature. So that in the production process, first the hot steel sheet is peeled and its thickness is reduced with the help of several rollers to reach the required thickness at room temperature or at most 200 degrees Celsius. Then, to increase the resistance of the sheet against oxidation, it is impregnated with a lubricant. Immersing the cold sheet with oil also affects its quality and appearance. After this operation, the cold sheet is placed in the annealing process. CRC is produced in various simple carbon, alloy, and stainless material. All kinds of CRC are used in durable consumer industries, transportation, construction, infrastructure, machinery and equipment, and military industries. Also, the cold sheet is the raw material for the production of galvanized sheets, tinplate, pipe, and steel profiles.
The main use of cold rolled steel coil is in the industry of consumer durables and transportation. Many consumer industries such as enduring stuff required unique and distinct features. Application of this sheet in this industry is in some furniture like fridges and freezers, microwaves, stoves, cupboards, and cabinets. Another of the most important aspects of flat products are the thickness and solidity of the sheets so maintaining the mechanical properties at the same time while thickness is being reduced is one of the essential factors. Rolled sheets with features such as strength while having a thickness and pretty appearance can cover many fields of industry requirements.
The cold rolled steel coil is used in the transportation industry in car filters, car bodies, the undercarriage of a car, and in shipbuilding. Also, CRC is used in the construction industry in the construction of some industrial structures, tanks for transporting food and chemicals, and radiators. In the infrastructure industry, it is also used in the construction of dams, bridges, and urban infrastructure steel structures.
China as the biggest steel producer plays a major role in this market all over the world. CRC production has risen from about 25.620.000 tonnes in 2012 to 45.110.000 tonnes in 2021. Figure 1 indicates China’s cold steel production. Production of this steel output has increased by 15% in 2021 rather than in 2020. And also the average annual growth of CRC production in China during the mentioned time has been estimated at about 6%, according to Atubis accounts.
During recent years, the average consumption of crude steel had been about 900 tonnes. The average share of China’s cold steel production from China’s total crude steel consumption has estimated to be about 4%. And it has faced an upward trend in recent years. In other words, the CRC’s position in China’s steel industry is about 4%.
China’s cold rolled coil trade
China’s cold rolled steel coil export trend has been fluctuating and finally rising during the period under review; it should be mentioned that the average export of China’s CRC during the years 2012 to 2021 was estimated at 5.300.000 tonnes. The export of this sheet in China has increased from 4.210.000 tonnes in 2012 to about 8.150.000 tonnes in 2021. Surveys on China’s export of CRC show that the export of this steel product has grown 100% in 2021 compared with 2020. Also, the average annual growth of China’s CRC exports during this period was estimated about 8%.
The biggest China’s destinations to export these sheets during 2012 – 2020 were South Korea, India, and Vietnam. On average, the share of South Korea, India, and Vietnam in China’s CRC export was equal to 11, 6, and 3 percent. It’s nice to know that South Korea is one of the biggest exporters of this CRC in recent years. It’s estimated that the share of China’s CRC is 13% on average in the world. The analysis of export data of China’s CRC exhibits that this country had no limitation for choosing its export destination and it’s exported to most countries all over the world. Hence, Vietnam’s share of China’s CRC export during this time has increased gradually and its share of India has been reduced.
During in this period, the import of cold rolled steel coil in China had been falling down; so that its amount’s decreased from 3.950.000 tonnes in 2012 to 2.880.000 tonnes in 2021. And China CRC imports in 2021 had faced with deduction in comparison with 2020 which was about 13% and during this time China’s CRC average import was 3.200.000 tonnes. The highest amount of China’s CRC imported was reached in 2013, which was equal to 4 tonnes. It should be noted that China ranks first in the import of CRC in the world. The growth of industries in China has made this Asian country the largest demander for CRC in the world. CRC has wide applications in simple carbon, alloy and stainless alloys. Per capita consumption of CRC in China was estimated to be about 27 kg for each person. The increase in CRC demand in the world is due to the growth and development of various industries. CRC market is growing industries growth as well in China.