Open / Close Advertisement

Full-Year Stainless Imports Dip 7.6% Below ‘06 Totals

02/26/2008 - Total stainless imports reached 765,431 tons through the end of 2007, a 7.6% decrease compared to YTD 2006, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America.

Total stainless imports reached 765,431 tons through the end of 2007 (YTD 2007), a 7.6% decrease compared to YTD 2006, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). Total specialty imports reached 979,992 tons over the same period, a 3.1% decrease compared to YTD December 2006.
 
Specific product lines experienced increases and decreases in imports, domestic consumption and import penetration over the first eleven months of 2007 as compared to the first eleven months of 2006.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD December 2007 imports were 421,510 tons, an 18.2% decrease compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption was 1,521,146 tons over the same period, a 17.5% decrease; and twelve-month import penetration was 27.7%, a 0.2 percentage point decrease from 2006.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD December 2007 imports were 144,638 tons, a 28.6% increase compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption was 334,499 tons over the same period, a 6.7% decrease; while twelve-month import penetration was 43.2%, an 11.8 percentage point increase from 2006.
 
Stainless steel bar YTD December 2007 imports were 122,734 tons, a 1.9% increase compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption was 227,392 tons over the same period, a 2.5% decrease; and twelve-month import penetration was 54.0%, a 2.4 percentage point increase from 2006.
 
Stainless steel rod YTD December 2007 imports were 30,567 tons, a 2.9% decrease compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption was 63,862 tons over the same period, a 10.5% decrease; while twelve-month import penetration was 47.9%, a 3.8 percentage point increase from 2006.
 
Stainless steel wire YTD December 2007 imports were 45,982 tons, a 5.5% decrease compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption was 78,890 tons over the same period, a 5.9% decrease; and twelve-month import penetration was 58.3%, a 0.2 percentage point increase from 2006.
 
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD December 2007 were 765,431 tons, a 7.6% decrease compared to YTD December 2006, U.S. consumption was 2,225,789 tons over the same period, a 14.0% decrease; while twelve-month import penetration was 34.4%, a 2.4 percentage point increase from 2006.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD December 2007 imports were 103,950 tons, a 2.9% increase compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
 
Electrical steel YTD December 2007 imports were 110,612 tons, a 35.2% increase compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption was 429,651 tons over the same period, a 2.2% decrease from December 2006; and twelve-month import penetration was 25.7%, a 7.1 percentage point increase from 2006.
 
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in YTD December 2007 were 979,992 tons, a 3.1% decrease compared to YTD December 2006. U.S. consumption was 2,742,751 tons over the same period, an 11.7% decrease. Twelve-month import penetration was 35.7%, a 3.2 percentage point increase from 2006.
 
SSINA is a Washington, D.C., based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Member companies are:
 
  • AK Steel Corp., Middletown, OH;
  • ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, Pa., and ATI Allvac, Monroe, N.C. (both Allegheny Technologies companies)
  • Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, Pa.
  • Crucible Specialty Metals, Syracuse, N.Y.
  • Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.
  • Haynes International Inc., Kokomo, Ind.
  • Latrobe Specialty Steel Co., Latrobe, Pa.
  • North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.
  • Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
  • Precision Rolled Products, Inc., Florham Park, N.J.
  • ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico
  • Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
  • Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.