First Quarter Stainless Steel Imports 44% Ahead of Q1-2009
07/02/2010 - Total stainless steel imports reached 131,894 tons for YTD March 2010, a 44.1% increase compared to YTD March 2009 according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty steel imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were up 23.8% through the same period.
Total stainless steel imports reached 131,894 tons for YTD March 2010, a 44.1% increase compared to YTD March 2009 according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).
Total specialty steel imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 166,096 tons through the same period, a 23.8% increase compared to YTD March 2009.
Data included in the SSINA report reflect U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD March 2010 compared to the same 2009 three-month period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD March 2010 imports were 78,701 tons, a 58.5% increase compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 316,366 tons through the same period, a 57.0% increase, while three-month import penetration was 24.9%, a 0.3 percentage point increase from 2009.
Stainless steel plate YTD March 2010 imports were 16,616 tons, a 74.8% increase compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 59,223 tons through the same period, a 54.3% increase, while three-month import penetration was 28.1%, a 3.3 percentage point increase from 2009.
Stainless steel bar YTD March 2010 imports were 20,705 tons, a 6.6% decrease compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 45,820 tons through the same period, a 7.7% increase, while three-month import penetration was 45.2%, a 6.9 percentage point decrease from 2009.
Stainless steel rod YTD March 2010 imports were 5,608tons, a 95.4% increase compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 14,274 tons through the same period, a 96.3% increase, while three-month import penetration was 39.3%, a 0.2 percentage point decrease from 2009.
Stainless steel wire YTD March 2010 imports were 10,264 tons, a 39.9% increase compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 12,922 tons through the same period, a 23.6% increase, while three-month import penetration was 79.4%, a 9.3 percentage point increase from 2009.
Through YTD March 2010, imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) reached 131,894 tons, a 44.1% increase compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 448,604 tons through the same period, a 49.5% increase, while three-month import penetration was 29.4%, a 1.1 percentage point decrease from 2009.
Alloy tool steel YTD March 2010 imports were 13,796 tons, a 5.0% increase compared to YTD March 2009; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Electrical steel YTD March 2010 imports were 20,407 tons, a 30.8% decrease compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 55,508 tons through the same period, a 28.7% decrease from YTD March 2009, while three-month import penetration was 36.8%, a 1.1 percentage point decrease from 2009.
Through YTD March 2010, imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 166,096 tons, a 23.8% increase compared to YTD March 2009. U.S. consumption was 512,116 tons through the same period, a 31.9% increase, while three-month import penetration was 32.4%, a 2.2 percentage point decrease from 2009.
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Member companies include:
- ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, Pa., an Allegheny Technologies company
- ATI Allvac, Monroe, N.C., an Allegheny Technologies company
- Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, Pa.
- Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.
- Latrobe Specialty Steel Co., Latrobe, Pa.
- North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.
- Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
- Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
- Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.
