The iron and Steel Industry In Pakistan dates back to the late 1800s when the first British-built blast furnace began operations in Karachi. Today, the country has the fifth-largest steel industry in the world, after China, Japan, India, and the United States. The industry remains vital to Pakistan’s economy, representing over 2 percent of its GDP and employing nearly 2 million people – including more than 300,000 who work directly within the sector itself. This guide will help you understand this complex and important industry so that you can better navigate its economic opportunities and challenges.
When it comes to the industry in Pakistan, iron, and steel might not be the first thing that springs to mind. In fact, it might not even be on your radar at all. But while this industry might not be on everyone’s minds, it still plays a major role in the economy of Pakistan and has been doing so since before the country was founded.
What You Need To Know About Iron and Steel
- -Iron is one of the most abundant elements on earth.
- Iron ore is mined from Earth’s crust, where it is found mixed with other minerals.
- Steel is created by heating up the iron with a small amount of carbon, which removes impurities and makes it stronger. -One of the largest steel-producing countries is China, which has more than 10 percent of the global production capacity.
- Pakistan ranks 20th in global steel production. -It has an annual crude steel output of about 2.5 million tonnes per year, making it the 18th largest producer in Asia and the 15th largest producer in the world.
- In recent years, there has been an increase in domestic demand for steel due to high population growth and industrialization.
Some Important Terms
There are many different types of steel, but they all have similar properties. The most common types are carbon steel and stainless steel. Carbon steel is created by adding other elements, like carbon, to iron at a certain temperature. Stainless steel has been treated with a certain element that prevents it from rusting or corroding.
Iron is used for so many things because it’s strong, durable, and relatively cheap to produce. It can be used for construction purposes when combined with other materials like cement and brick, but it’s also used to create tools like hammers and nails. As such, many different companies within the iron industry specialize in different products or services.
A Brief History
Pakistan is one of the world’s leading countries for steel production. The country has been at it since the 1920s when it started a steel company near Karachi. Today, there are over 20 large-scale companies that produce iron and steel products in this area. These companies include Sidhiqui Steel & Engineering Company (SSE), Pak Arab Fertilizers Company (PAFCO), PPL Thermax Limited, Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and Wah Cantonment Board. There are also smaller companies located throughout the country that produce raw materials for other industries like cement, ceramics, sugar mills, textile manufacturing, paint manufacturing etcetera.
The current State of Affairs
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon. The most common form of steel is plain-carbon steel. Carbon atoms are distributed uniformly through the iron so that their concentration does not vary substantially from one part of the steel to another. Carbon content can be varied for various purposes, but most grades used for structural applications have a carbon content between 0.2% and 2%.
In addition, there are other types of steel such as stainless steels, tool steels, spring steels, high-speed steels, martensitic steels, etc., which are manufactured for specific purposes.
Export Potential
Pakistan is a large country with a population of over 200 million. It has a rapidly developing economy, with a GDP growth of 6.9% from 2010-2015, making it one of the fastest growing countries in South Asia. The country has rich natural resources that are easily accessible and the skilled labor force provides competitive production costs. This makes Pakistan an attractive place for foreign investors. However, some issues need to be considered before investing in this industry.
Pakistan’s iron and steel industry are still young, with only a few companies operating on a small scale producing low-quality product that cannot compete globally because of its high cost of production due to the low availability of raw materials like coal and coking coal as well as high transportation costs because of its distance from major global markets.
Importance of the Domestic Market
Pakistan is a rapidly developing country with a population of around 180 million people. The industry has grown significantly since 1990 as part of the industrialization process. As a result, there are now 50 steel plants with an installed production capacity of over six million tons per annum. It ranks 11th in Asia for total steel production and 14th globally. Despite its rapid growth, it lags behind other Asian countries like China, Japan, India, and Korea when it comes to productivity.
Pakistan’s iron and steel sector is largely domestically oriented so imports are not significant on aggregate demand for iron ore, coke coal, or coking coal. In 2013-14, imports were worth about $450 million which accounted for less than two percent of the total demand for these products.
Best Time to Invest
Investing in this industry is not easy. In a country with such high levels of poverty, there are only a few people with enough capital to invest. But you don’t need a lot of money to make money. You just need an idea and the willingness to work hard.
For example, during Pakistani independence, four friends pooled their resources together and borrowed Rs 10,000 (approximately $1,000) from relatives and friends. They had an idea to open a small iron shop that would sell everything they could buy on credit and pay it back once they made sales. With so many locals unable to find jobs due to lack of skills or capital, they were able to grow their business into one that employed more than 20 workers and grossed about Rs 40 million per year by the time the partners retired at age 60.
What Happens When There Is an Increase in Demand?
When there is an increase in demand, the production of steel increases by using more iron ore. This causes a decrease in iron ore prices as a result of increased supply. The decrease in iron ore prices causes a decrease to be seen in the cost of steel. This creates an environment where steel producers can charge less for their products due to lower operating costs when material costs are low.
How Did 2015 Look Like?
Pakistani iron and steel exports totaled $3.1 billion, an increase of 6% from 2014. This is largely due to increased demand from India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam as well as increased production. The total imports also increased by 9%. China imported 57% of the total imports of steel and iron ore, followed by Japan with 14%.
This year has seen a surge in construction projects, which are fueling growth in both the manufacturing and construction sectors. With a growing population that continues to urbanize at a rapid pace, this is likely only going to continue into 2016.
What Does 2022 Hold For The Sector?
Pakistan’s iron and steel industry is not a new one. It has been an active part of the country’s economy for a long time, with a peak production year of 2010. However, since then, production has decreased due to several reasons such as rising input costs and an influx of cheap imports from China. In terms of output value, it was valued at around Rs 1 billion in 2016 according to data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. The sector employs approximately 3200 people with 100-500 employees per establishment on average.