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TRENDS AND TIDBITS continued from page 75 2013 World Steel Outlook Continued the improving global economy and activities in the automotive, energy and residential construction sectors. For NAFTA as a whole, apparent steel use will grow by 0.2 percent and 3.2 percent in 2013 and 2014, respectively. "In Central and South America, apparent steel use is projected to slow to a 2.8 percent growth in 2013 to 48.5 Mt from 3.1 percent in 2012. The region's steel demand is forecast to grow by 5.0 percent to 51.0 Mt in 2014. In Brazil, where the economic performance has been slower than expected to-date, modest re-stocking coupled by improving capital investment is expected to bring apparent steel use growth of 3.2 percent to 26.0 Mt in 2013 and further growth of 3.8 percent to 27.0 Mt in 2014. "In the EU-27, the contraction in steel using sectors continued in 2013, particularly during the first half of the year. Apparent steel use is expected to decline for the second straight year in 2013 by -3.8 percent to 134.9 Mt after falling by -9.5 percent in 2012. Apparent steel use in Italy and Spain is expected to contract by -8.1 percent and -4.3 percent, respectively, and even in Germany, it is expected to fall by -1.6 percent in 2013. Signs of stabilization in real steel use in the second half of 2013 bode well for recovery prospects in 2014. However, the pickup in EU27 is expected to remain weak with steel demand increasing only by 2.1 percent in 2014 to 137.8 Mt. "Despite contracting steel demand in Ukraine, apparent steel use in the CIS region is projected to grow by 3 percent, reaching 58.9 Mt in 2013 due to the pickup in Russia. In Russia, public non-residential construction and the introduction of automotive stimulus measures will contribute to steel demand growth of 3.8 percent to 43.6 Mt in 2013. Russia's steel demand is expected to grow further by 4.6 percent to 45.6 Mt in 2014, aided by the improving external environment, particularly in Europe. "In the MENA region, steel demand is expected to grow by only 1.7 percent to 64.3 Mt in 2013, after 2.2 percent growth in 2012. The slowdown is due to the continued political instability that has disrupted economic activities. In 2014, steel demand in the region is expected to grow by 7.3 percent to reach 69.0 Mt, aided by resumption of investment projects and governments' efforts to quell social unrest." ● Trends continued on page 81 A diesel engine goes down. Work Stops. But not for long. For 60 years, we've manufactured high-quality replacement parts for major US engines and heavy-duty applications. Quick order response gets you up and working fast. Call us. 1-800-321-4234. ©2012 Interstate-McBee IDA UNIVERSAL November-December 2013 77