Open / Close Advertisement

January Stainless and Specialty Imports Hanging Below Year-Earlier Figures

03/26/2008 - Total stainless steel imports reach 61,607 tons through the end of January, a 14.5% decrease compared to January 2007, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America. Total specialty steel imports decreased 2.8% over the same period.

Total stainless steel imports reached 61,607 tons through the end of January (YTD January 2008), a 14.5% decrease compared to YTD January 2007, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). Total specialty steel imports reached 85,583 tons over the same period, a 2.8% decrease compared to YTD January 2007.
 
Specific product lines experienced increases and decreases in imports, domestic consumption and import penetration over the first month of 2008 as compared to the first month of 2007.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD January 2008 imports were 40,408 tons, a 1.0% increase compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 118,901 tons over the same period, an 18.4% decrease, while one-month import penetration was 34.0%, a 6.5 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD January 2008 imports were 6,471 tons, a 49.5% decrease compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 15,520 tons over the same period, a 57.5% decrease; while one-month import penetration was 41.7%, a 6.7 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel bar YTD January 2008 imports were 9,050 tons, a 24.1% decrease compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 18,414 tons over the same period, a 24.2% decrease. One-month import penetration was 49.1%, with no change from 2007.
 
Stainless steel rod YTD January 2008 imports were 2,311 tons, a 22.3% decrease compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 5,149 tons over the same period, a 24.5% decrease; and one-month import penetration was 44.9%, a 1.3 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel wire YTD January 2008 imports were 3,367 tons, a 22.5% decrease compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 6,173 tons over the same period, a 19.4% decrease; while one-month import penetration was 54.5%, a 2.2 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD January 2008 were 61,607 tons, a 14.5% decrease compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 164,157 tons over the same period, a 25.7% decrease; and one-month import penetration was 37.5%, a 4.9 percentage point increase from
2007.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD January 2008 imports were 11,187 tons, a 37.7% increase compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption and import penetration over the period were not calculable.
 
Electrical steel YTD January 2008 imports were 12,789 tons, a 62.3% increase compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 38,679 tons over the same period, a 9.1% increase from January 2007; while one-month import penetration was 33.1%, a 10.9 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in YTD January 2008 were 85,583 tons, a 2.8% decrease compared to YTD January 2007. U.S. consumption was 213,005 tons over the same period, a 19.1% decrease; and one-month import penetration was 40.2%, a 6.7 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, D.C., based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Member companies include:
 
  • AK Steel Corp., Middletown, Ohio
  • ATI Allegheny Ludlum Corporation, 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.