Steel sales set to carry on growing

Volume sales of UK structural steel are expected to demonstrate year-on-year growth, culminating in overall growth of 8% to 1.8m tonnes in 2012, according to the UK Structural Steel Market Development Report published by MBD.

The market has demonstrated consistent growth in the four years from 2006, with the exception of a decline in 2005. MBD predicts this growth will continue, with rates from 2008 to 2012 expected to oscillate between 2% and 3%.

Demand is projected to be stronger towards the end of the forecast period due to the construction activity related to the Olympics.

The building sector will command the largest share of structural steel during the forecast period, accounting for around 93% of demand between 2008 and 2012.