Total stainless steel imports reached 182,350 tons through the first quarter of 2005 — 37% higher than the first quarter of 2004 — according to the latest statistical data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). Total specialty steel imports (including stainless, electrical, and tool steels) were 39% higher than the first quarter of 2004.

Data released by SSINA showed that YTD (through March) imports of stainless steel sheet/strip were 110,904 tons, a 34% increase compared to the comparable 2004 period. U.S. consumption was 459,377 tons, a 7% increase, while import penetration was 24%, a five percentage point increase.

YTD imports of stainless steel plate were 18,209 tons, a 19% increase compared to the first quarter of 2004. U.S. consumption was 68,089 tons, a 5% decrease, while import penetration was 27%, a six percentage point increase.

Stainless steel bar imports totaled 29,898 tons in the first quarter of 2005, an 82% increase compared to the first quarter of 2004. U.S. consumption was 61,411 tons over the same period, a 31% increase over last year, while import penetration reached 49%, a 14 percentage point increase.

Stainless steel rod imports were 12,421 tons in the first quarter, a 42% increase compared to last year. U.S. consumption was 20,324 tons in the first quarter, an 11% increase, and import penetration was 61%, a 13 percentage point increase compared to last year.

YTD imports of stainless steel wire were 10,918 tons, an 11% increase compared to last year. U.S. consumption was 19,653 tons in the first quarter, a 5% decrease compared to last year, and import penetration was 56%, an eight percentage point increase.

Imports of total stainless steel (including sheet/strip, plate, bar, rod and wire) in the first quarter of 2005 were 182,350 tons, a 37% increase compared to the first quarter of last year. U.S. consumption reached 628,854 tons in the same period, a 7% increase, and three-month import penetration was 29%, a six percentage point increase.

Alloy tool steel imports were 28,956 tons, a 53% increase compared to last year. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.

Electrical steel imports were 23,726 tons, a 39% increase compared to last year. U.S. consumption reached 103,260 tons, a 7% increase, while import penetration was 23%, a five percentage point increase.

Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in the first quarter of 2005 were 235,032 tons, a 39% increase. U.S. consumption was 756,422 tons, an 8% increase; three-month import penetration was 31%, a seven percentage point increase.

SSINA is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Member companies are:

• AK Steel Corp., Middletown, Ohio
• Allegheny Ludlum Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Allvac, Monroe, N.C. (both Allegheny Technologies companies)
• Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, Pa.
• Charter Specialty Steel, Fond du Lac, Wis.
• Crucible Specialty Metals, Syracuse, N.Y.
• Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.
• Haynes International Inc., Kokomo, Ind.
• ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico
• North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.
• Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
• Precision Rolled Products, Inc., Florham Park, N.J.
• Special Metals Corp., Huntington, W.Va.
• Techalloy Central Wire Group, Mahwah, N.J.
• Timken Latrobe Steel, Latrobe, Pa.
• Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
• Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.