Worldwide stainless steel production grew 5.2% in 2012 setting a new record at 35.4-million mt, according to the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF). All of the increase was due to China’s production rising 14.2% to 16.1-million mt in 2012 compared to 14.1-million mt in 2011. Production growth in regions outside of China ?was negative, and ranged from -0.6% to -8.2%. Stainless output in the Americas decreased 4.7% in 2012 to 2.4-million mt, and Central and Eastern Europe production fell 8.2% to 400,000 mt which, according to the ISSF, is almost negligible in global terms.