Steam Cost in China
The chart above illustrates Steam cost assessments, in US Dollar per metric ton (USD/mt), from May 2022 through May 2023, as described below:
- Steam, HP, cash cost, on-site: Steam, High Pressure, China, cash cost, formula, on-site (typical consumer facility)
- Steam, LP, contract price, exw: Steam, Low Pressure, China, contract price, exw, formula
- Steam, MP, contract price, exw: Steam, Medium Pressure, China, contract price, exw, formula
- Steam, HP, contract price, exw: Steam, High Pressure, China, contract price, exw, formula
- Steam, LP, cash cost, on-site: Steam, Low Pressure, China, cash cost, formula, on-site (typical consumer facility)
- Steam, MP, cash cost, on-site: Steam, Medium Pressure, China, cash cost, formula, on-site (typical consumer facility)
- Steam, LP, cash cost, off-site: Steam, Low Pressure, China, cash cost, formula, off-site (large supplier)
- Steam, HP, cash cost, off-site: Steam, High Pressure, China, cash cost, formula, off-site (large supplier)
- Steam, MP, cash cost, off-site: Steam, Medium Pressure, China, cash cost, formula, off-site (large supplier)
In May 2023, the high pressure steam on-site cash cost for Steam in China reached 17.10 USD per metric ton, representing a 10% decrease compared to April 2023. Throughout the 12-month period, Steam costs in China experienced an overall decline of 8%. The low pressure steam contract price for ex-works delivery of Steam in China stood at 13.60 USD per metric ton in May 2023, down 10% from the previous month. Over the past year, Steam prices in China showed a cumulative decrease of 7%. Medium pressure steam contract pricing on an ex-works basis for Steam in China was assessed at 14.30 USD per metric ton in May 2023, reflecting a 11% reduction from April 2023. The 12-month cumulative price movement for Steam in China totaled a 7% decline. High pressure steam contract pricing for ex-works delivery of Steam in China was valued at 15.50 USD per metric ton in May 2023, marking an 8% decrease from the prior month. The cumulative price change for Steam in China over the preceding 12 months amounted to an 8% reduction.
The figures shown are illustrative and represent a historical sample from Intratec Industry Economics & Competitiveness. For up-to-date monthly competitiveness benchmarks and industrial cost data across 33 countries, subscribe to Intratec Industry Economics & Competitiveness.
Other Utility Costs
Steam is one of 10 industrial utilities priced monthly — reference data for cost analysis, project evaluation, and competitiveness studies
10 Utilities Priced Monthly
Steam, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and 6 other key process utilities.
Forward-Looking Series
Short-term forecasts on selected utilities.
10-Year Monthly History
A decade of monthly data for trend analysis and modeling.
Beyond Utility Costs
Industrial utility costs are part of the Industry Economics & Competitiveness subscription — a monthly program benchmarking commodities manufacturing competitiveness across 33 countries.
33 Key Countries
Country-by-country monthly reports covering major industrial hubs — USA, China, Germany, Japan, Brazil, India, and more.
7 Industries Covered
Industry-specific rankings across olefins, aromatics, alcohols & organic acids, polymers, fertilizers, inorganic chemicals, and metals.
Reference Datasets
Country-level datasets for estimating individual cost items — labor, utility costs, plant construction costs, and location factors.
Monthly Updates
Fresh data every month, always reflecting the most recent period available, with short-term forecasts on selected series.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Steam
Steam is a versatile utility widely used in process industries for heating, power generation, and driving mechanical equipment. It serves as a key energy source, transferring heat to various processes and driving turbines and compressors.