Further to the Editor's Commentary (Professional Engineering 24 February 2010) readers may be interested to know that annual world steel production is a massive 1,351.3 million metric tonnes (mmt). Steel output from the UK is less than 1% of this total and the tiny amount that we still produce mainly uses steel plants owned by Tata of India.
The closure of the Tata steel plant in Teesside will no doubt reduce our contribution even further. Can someone explain to me why we have allowed this chronic and dire situation to develop as there is clearly a world market for steel? Have we given up as a nation having lost the will to make things? Is it that we just not bothered any more?
The Editor's comment "just where are we going" highlights the dreadful state that we have reached. Urgent action is needed by our so called leaders before it is far too late and we are not making any steel at all.
David Eaton, North Anston, Sheffield
© PE Publishing, February 2010
