Beneath the humming arc furnaces and towering blast furnaces, Mexico's steel industry powered through a pivotal 2022, forging 18.5 million metric tons of crude steel to solidify its place as a global production force now poised for strategic expansion.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Mexico produced 18.5 million metric tons of crude steel, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021.
- Mexico's pig iron production reached 4.1 million metric tons in 2022.
- Direct reduced iron (DRI) output in Mexico was 7.8 million metric tons in 2022, up 5% YoY.
- Mexico's installed crude steelmaking capacity is 25.6 million metric tons as of 2023.
- Ternium Mexico has a steelmaking capacity of 7.5 million tons per year.
- AHMSA's hot-rolled coil capacity is 3.5 million tpy.
- Mexico imported 15.2 million metric tons of steel products in 2022.
- Steel imports from China to Mexico: 4.8 Mt in 2022.
- US steel exports to Mexico: 3.1 Mt in 2022.
- Mexico apparent steel consumption: 28.4 million tons in 2022.
- Automotive sector steel demand: 7.2 Mt in Mexico 2022.
- Construction steel consumption: 12.1 Mt in 2022.
- Steel industry contributes 1.8% to Mexico's GDP in 2022.
- Direct employment in steel sector: 120,000 jobs in 2022.
- Indirect jobs generated: 450,000 nationwide.
Mexico's steel industry showed steady growth with record production and rising capacity in 2022.
Capacity and Infrastructure
- Mexico's installed crude steelmaking capacity is 25.6 million metric tons as of 2023.
- Ternium Mexico has a steelmaking capacity of 7.5 million tons per year.
- AHMSA's hot-rolled coil capacity is 3.5 million tpy.
- Deacero's total steel capacity in Mexico: 5.2 million tpy.
- Gerdau Corsa EAF capacity: 3.0 million tpy in Mexico.
- Mexico's DRI capacity stands at 10.2 million tons annually.
- Slab caster capacity in Mexico: 12 million tpy.
- HRC rolling mill capacity: 8.4 million tpy in Mexico.
- Rebar rolling capacity: 6.7 million tpy nationwide.
- Galvanizing lines capacity: 4.5 million tpy in Mexico.
- Number of steel mills in Mexico: 45 active EAF mini-mills.
- Total scrap processing capacity: 20 million tons per year.
- Nuevo León steel capacity: 8.2 million tpy.
- Coahuila steel capacity: 9.5 million tpy.
- Baja California steel capacity: 1.8 million tpy.
- Planned EAF expansion by Ternium: +2 Mt by 2025.
- AHMSA modernization project adds 1.5 Mt capacity.
- Deacero Celaya plant capacity: 1.2 Mt rebar.
- Number of DRI plants in Mexico: 8 operational.
- Logistics infrastructure: 15 major ports handle 70% of steel imports.
- Rail network for steel transport: 25,000 km serving industry.
- Energy consumption per ton of steel: 450 kWh in EAFs.
- CO2 emissions per ton of steel: 1.2 t in Mexico (2022).
- Water usage per ton of steel: 2.5 m³ in Mexican mills.
Capacity and Infrastructure Interpretation
Despite Mexico's steel industry being a surprisingly modern and sprawling beast—capable of churning out everything from slabs to shiny galvanized sheets—its true national sport remains the complex logistical ballet of moving all that metal while carefully counting every kilowatt, drop of water, and puff of emissions along the way.
Consumption and Market Demand
- Mexico apparent steel consumption: 28.4 million tons in 2022.
- Automotive sector steel demand: 7.2 Mt in Mexico 2022.
- Construction steel consumption: 12.1 Mt in 2022.
- HRC demand in Mexico: 10.5 Mt in 2022.
- Rebar demand: 5.8 Mt driven by infrastructure.
- Per capita steel use in Mexico: 220 kg in 2022.
- Steel use in appliances: 1.4 Mt in 2022.
- Machinery sector steel demand: 2.3 Mt.
- Oil & gas sector steel tubes demand: 0.7 Mt.
- Demand growth forecast: +3.5% for 2023.
- Automotive OEM steel purchases: $8.5 billion in 2022.
- Construction growth impact: +4% steel demand rise.
- HRC price average: $850/ton in Mexico 2022.
- Rebar consumption in central Mexico: 3.2 Mt.
- Northern region steel demand: 10.8 Mt (38%).
- Steel packaging demand: 1.1 Mt for food/beverages.
- Electrical equipment steel use: 0.9 Mt.
- Shipbuilding steel demand: 0.3 Mt in 2022.
- Demand for galvanized products: 4.2 Mt.
- Steel exports adjusted consumption: 24.6 Mt finished steel.
- Infrastructure projects boost: +1.5 Mt demand from Tren Maya.
Consumption and Market Demand Interpretation
Mexico's steel industry, much like a well-built car, shows its real strength with the automotive and construction sectors driving a robust 28.4 million-ton appetite, though one must note its per capita consumption of 220kg suggests there's still ample room to build up before it truly flexes its industrial muscle.
Economic and Employment Impact
- Steel industry contributes 1.8% to Mexico's GDP in 2022.
- Direct employment in steel sector: 120,000 jobs in 2022.
- Indirect jobs generated: 450,000 nationwide.
- Steel exports value: $4.2 billion USD in 2022.
- Investment in steel industry: $1.5 billion in 2022.
- Tax contributions: $2.8 billion pesos from steel firms.
- R&D spending: 0.8% of revenue in steel sector.
- Wage average in steel industry: $25,000 MXN/month.
- Productivity per employee: 1,200 tons steel/year.
- Regional GDP contribution: 5% in Coahuila.
- Nuevo León steel GDP share: 7.2%.
- Training programs: 15,000 workers certified annually.
- Sustainability investments: $450 million in 2022.
- Supply chain value: $15 billion annual procurement.
- Female employment in steel: 18% of workforce.
- Unionized workers: 65% in major steel plants.
- Turnover rate: 4.2% in steel industry.
- Accident rate: 1.2 per 100 workers (improved 10%).
- Export revenue growth: +18% in 2022.
Economic and Employment Impact Interpretation
Mexico's steel industry, while modest in GDP share, is a muscular economic engine, forging not only $4.2 billion in exports and a sprawling job market but also a surprising commitment to safety, sustainability, and R&D, proving its backbone is stronger than its headline percentage suggests.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, Mexico produced 18.5 million metric tons of crude steel, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021.
- Mexico's pig iron production reached 4.1 million metric tons in 2022.
- Direct reduced iron (DRI) output in Mexico was 7.8 million metric tons in 2022, up 5% YoY.
- Mexico ranked 14th globally in crude steel production with 18.5 Mt in 2022.
- Steel billet production in Mexico totaled 12.3 million tons in 2021.
- In Q1 2023, Mexican steel production was 4.6 million metric tons.
- Hot-rolled coil (HRC) production in Mexico hit 6.2 million tons in 2022.
- Mexico's electric arc furnace (EAF) steel production accounted for 76% of total output in 2022.
- Scrap consumption for steelmaking in Mexico was 17.2 million tons in 2022.
- Mexico's steel slab production reached 5.4 million metric tons in 2022.
- In 2023, Mexico's crude steel production forecast is 19.2 million tons.
- Wire rod production in Mexico was 1.8 million tons in 2021.
- Mexico produced 2.1 million tons of structural steel shapes in 2022.
- Rebar production in Mexico totaled 4.7 million tons in 2022.
- Mexico's galvanized steel sheet production was 3.9 million tons in 2022.
- In 2020, Mexico's steel production fell 15% to 15.8 Mt due to COVID.
- Monthly steel production in Mexico averaged 1.54 Mt in 2022.
- Mexico's long steel products production was 9.2 Mt in 2022.
- Flat steel products output in Mexico reached 9.3 Mt in 2022.
- Ternium Mexico produced 5.6 million tons of steel in 2022.
- AHMSA steel production was 3.2 million tons in 2022.
- Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) DRI production: 2.5 Mt in 2021.
- Deacero's steel output reached 4.1 Mt in 2022.
- Gerdau Corsa produced 2.8 Mt of steel in Mexico in 2022.
- Steel production in Nuevo León state: 6.1 Mt in 2022.
- Coahuila state's steel output: 7.4 Mt in 2022.
- Jalisco steel production: 1.2 Mt in 2022.
- Baja California steel production: 0.9 Mt in 2022.
- Steel production via BOF in Mexico: 24% of total in 2022.
- EAF capacity utilization in Mexico: 82% in 2022.
Production Statistics Interpretation
While Mexico’s steel industry isn't yet flexing at the top of the global podium, its scrap-hungry electric furnaces are forging a steady, green-tinged comeback from the pandemic, proving the sector is built to last.
Trade (Exports/Imports)
- Mexico imported 15.2 million metric tons of steel products in 2022.
- Steel imports from China to Mexico: 4.8 Mt in 2022.
- US steel exports to Mexico: 3.1 Mt in 2022.
- Mexico's steel exports totaled 5.6 million tons in 2022.
- Steel import value to Mexico: $12.4 billion USD in 2022.
- Top import product: HRC from China, 2.2 Mt in 2022.
- Mexico steel exports to US: 4.1 Mt in 2022.
- Brazil steel exports to Mexico: 1.2 Mt in 2022.
- Mexico's trade deficit in steel: $6.8 billion in 2022.
- Wire rod imports: 1.1 Mt, mainly from Canada.
- Rebar imports declined 20% to 0.8 Mt in 2022.
- Galvanized sheet imports: 2.3 Mt in 2022.
- Steel exports to Canada: 0.4 Mt in 2022.
- Anti-dumping duties on Chinese HRC: 20-30% imposed in 2023.
- USMCA impact: Mexico steel exports to US up 15% in 2022.
- Steel imports via Manzanillo port: 3.5 Mt in 2022.
- Lázaro Cárdenas port steel throughput: 4.2 Mt imports.
- Steel slab imports: 3.7 Mt in 2022 from Russia/Brazil.
- Mexico's steel export growth: +12% YoY in Q4 2022.
- Imports of steel pipes/tubes: 0.9 Mt in 2022.
Trade (Exports/Imports) Interpretation
While Mexico valiantly exported steel northwards, a Chinese torrent of hot-rolled coil through its ports created a deep and expensive trade deficit, proving that even with a USMCA boost, it's difficult to outrun the dragon's economy of scale.
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