China's steel consumption to top 520 million tons by 2010, experts

Chinese experts predicted that China is likely to consume 425~450 million tons of crude steel and 400~420 million tons of rolled steel (recycle steel not included) in 2007.

According to China Iron and Steel Association, the country's annual consumption might be 510~550 million tons of crude steel and 480~520 million tons of rolled steel (recycle steel not included) by 2010.

If China keeps its annual 11 percent GDP growth rate in 2007-2010, its annual rolled steel consumption will exceed 520 million tons by 2010, according to the experts.