Production
This section mainly relates to crude steel, which is the preliminary stage of the finished commercial products that Sweden's steel companies manufacture.
Crude steel is drained from an oxygen converter. Photo: Stig-Göran Nilsson, Jernkontoret's picture collection
During 2023, 4.3 million tonnes of crude steel was produced in Sweden – a decrease of 3,3 per cent compared to 2022.
The actual production of finished steel products (e.g. plate, strip, rod, wire and tube) is not measured; on the other hand the deliveries of these products from the steelworks are recorded.
Read more about deliveries and steel comsumption.
Swedish crude steel production, kton
The two primary materials for the production of crude steel are pig iron, made from iron ore, and scrap. About two-thirds of the total crude steel production in Sweden is based on iron ore. The diagram below shows the production development for pig iron and crude steel.
Swedish production of pig iron and crude steel
Iron ore-based steel is produced in oxygen furnaces (LD converters) with pig iron as the main feedstock. The remaining share of the steel is produced in electric arc furnaces with steel scrap used as the feed material. The diagram below shows how different production processes in terms of share of the total crude steel production have succeeded one another since 1970.
Swedish crude steel production by processes
To retain their position in the global market, Swedish steel companies have focused their production on more advanced steel qualities. This has meant that the share of so-called alloy steel – which also encompasses stainless steels – has steadily increased. At present, almost 55 per cent of the total production comprises alloy steel. The diagram below shows how the distribution of grades has evolved since 1990.
Swedish crude steel production by quality
Residual products
The production of iron and steel products also gives rise to a range of residual products, a collective term for by-products, material for internal circulation, recycling and waste.
In 2018, close to two million tonnes of residual products were produced by the Swedish steel and iron industry. About two-thirds of the total production of residuals are metallurgical slags. Almost 80 per cent of the residual products are eather used externally, e.g. is sold as products, or being reused in the production process.
Read more about steel production residues
