Steel consumption in Thailand the first eight months this year rose by 18.3% year-on-year to 13.1 million tonnes despite the Covid-19 impact, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
Demand from state infrastructure development projects fuelled the growth, though steel consumption from private investment projects and construction work declined, with the impact clearly seen from the end of June to the end of July, when construction workers' camps were shut down to contain Covid-19 outbreaks.
Nava Chantanasurakon, chairman of the FTI's Iron and Steel Industry Club, said the recovery of the automotive industry also benefitted the steel and iron industry.