April 21, 2006 — AK Steel will increase prices for zinc coatings by a minimum of 40%, effective with new orders for shipment on June 1, 2006. The premiums are being added to AK Steel's current pricing extras for all ZINCGRIP^(R), galvannealed and electrogalvanized products. The increases are in addition to AK Steel's previously-announced increase of 70% for zinc coatings, which was effective with shipments on April 1, 2006.

AK Steel said that it is making the increases in order to recover the record high cost of zinc. The April 1, 2006 increase was in response to zinc costs that had climbed by approximately 70%, from a mid-2005 cost of about $0.60 per pound to an average cost of $1.01 per pound in February 2006. This week, zinc again set a record high price of $1.44 per pound, making an additional increase in zinc coating extras necessary.

AK Steel said that it may make additional adjustments to its coating extras in the future depending upon the fluctuation in zinc prices.

Headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, AK Steel produces flat-rolled carbon, stainless and electrical steel products, as well as carbon and stainless tubular steel products, for automotive, appliance, construction and manufacturing markets.