China’s consumption of steel rose just 0.65% to 510.28Mt during the first nine months 2012, much slower than the 10.38% increase seen in the same period 2011.

Demand has softened in the world’s largest steel-producing nation since the start of the year, as the country scaled back investment in rail construction and property development amid a slowing domestic economy.

Source: China Metals e-mail infochn@public.bta.net.cn