May 3, 2006 — Total stainless imports into the U.S. reached 117,470 tons through the first two months 2006, a 6% decrease compared to the first two months of 2005, according to the latest data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). U.S. consumption of stainless decreased by 3% over the same period, while import penetration decreased only 1%.

Total specialty steel imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 149,160 tons through February 2006, a 7% decrease compared to the first two months of 2005. U.S. consumption fell by 2% over the same period, while import penetration fell to 31%, a two percentage point decrease.

Specific product lines experienced both increases and decreases over the first two months of 2006 compared to the comparable 2005 period.

Stainless steel sheet/strip imports were 76,024 tons through February, a 3% decrease compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption was 286,049 tons over the same period, a 4% decrease compared to YTD 2005, while two-month import penetration was 27%, a one percentage point increase.

Stainless steel plate imports were 12,225 tons through February, a 9% increase over YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption reached 50,777 tons in the first two months, a 19% increase compared to YTD 2005, and two-month import penetration was 24%, a two percentage point decrease.

Stainless steel bar imports were 16,435 tons through February, a 12% decrease compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption was 34,654 tons over the same period, a 12% decrease compared to YTD 2005, and two-month import penetration was unchanged at 47%.

Stainless steel rod imports were 5,385 tons through February, a 38% decrease compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption reached 11,361 tons over the same period, a 17% decrease compared to YTD 2005, while two-month import penetration was 47%, a sixteen percentage point decrease.

Stainless steel wire imports were 7,401 tons through February, a 3% increase compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption reached 12,654 tons over the same period, a 2% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 58%, a two percentage point increase.

Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD February 2006 were 117,470 tons, a 6% decrease compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption was 395,495 tons through the same period, a 3% decrease, while import penetration was 30%, a one percentage point decrease.

Alloy tool steel imports were 16,980 tons through February, a 10% decrease compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.

Electrical steel imports were 14,710 tons through February, an 11% decrease compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption was 67,652 tons over the same period, a 5% increase compared to YTD 2005, while two-month import penetration was 22%, a four percentage point decrease.

Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 149,160 tons through February 2006, a 7% decrease compared to YTD February 2005. U.S. consumption reached 476,598 tons over the same period, a 2% decrease; while import penetration fell to 31%, a two percentage point decrease.

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.; 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.; Timken Latrobe Steel, Latrobe, Pa.; Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.; and Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.