The iron and steel industry: a global market perspective

摘要: The paper presents a global perspective of the current technologies used for steel production and markets. iron industry is very complex sector that strongly related with rest economy due to importance products industries such as construction, automotive, other manufacturing sectors. Moreover, demands significant amounts raw materials energy, most companies producing are located remote from areas highest demand. In consequence, both inputs traded internationally (mostly by sea) in large quantities, what additionally complicates analyses industry. Steel prices depend on several variables, there not single price since great variety traded. Those supply demand interaction (between producers consumers, but also competing same inputs), transport conditions. As concerns ownership structure, consists some firms operate globally produce output, many small at lesser scale. Recently, those have consolidated into multinationals (such ArcelorMittal, formed 2006 merger Arcelor Mittal Steel, being result previous Aceralia (ES), Usinor (FR), Arbed (LX) 2002). results this article form basis further longand mid-term development main conclusion any future analysis should be based quantitative modelling tools that: (i) properly capture technological diversity key features chain, (ii) able consider strategic behaviour all players industry, (iii) factors 28