6. Conclusions

This study clearly shows that, as has often been said, conventional integrated mills are in a defensive position vis-à-vis other steel production processes, particularly those based on the electric furnace instead of the oxygen furnace. However, this conclusion needs to be qualified, as :

• if there is a significant decrease in the "old industrial countries", from 436 Mt (in 1970) to 372 Mt (in 2007) and, in particular :

  • a peak of around 112 Mt (in the United States) around 40 Mt in 2007,

  • a peak of around 190 Mt (in Europe) around 133 Mt in 2007 ;

• This is not the case in emerging countries, as is clearly demonstrated by :

  • the spectacular expansion of this integrated plant sector in all developing...