European Union real steel consumption is forecast to grow at a slower rate in 2012 compared with this year, as uncertainty surrounding the business climate is forecast to affect steel purchases, Europe's federation of steelmakers, Eurofer, said Friday.

Eurofer expects real steel consumption to grow 6.1% this year and then slow to 2% in 2012.

"Prospects for 2012 have remained mildly positive despite high levels of uncertainty surrounding the outlook for the steel using industries in the EU," Eurofer said in its economic outlook report.

"Slipping indicators and increased risk and uncertainty levels related to the intensification of the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis have led to Eurofer's Economic Committee revising its economic growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012," it said.

EU activity in the manufacturing sectors and in construction will continue to grow, albeit in the case of the manufacturing industry at a significantly slower pace than in 2010 and 2011, Eurofer said.

-By Alex MacDonald, Dow Jones Newswires; +44 (0)20 7842 9328; alex.macdonald@dowjones.com

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