German steelmakers more bullish on 2010 output

HANOVER, Germany, April 19 (Reuters) - Crude steel output in Germany, Europe's largest economy, is expected to grow faster than initially expected this year, according to comments from the German steel industry association on Monday. Production is forecast to rise by some 15 percent to 38 million tonnes of crude steel, the association said, having previously estimated an increase within a 10-15 percent range.

(Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff)