The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) has released statistical data on imports, U.S. consumption, and import penetration for the first six months of 2012. The data represents U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD June 2012 compared to the same 2011 six month period.

The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:

• Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in YTD June 2012 were 215,199 tons, a 2.1% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption was 849,845 tons, a 1.6% increase; six month import penetration was 25.3%, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel plate: Imports in YTD June 2012 were 119,047 tons, a 43.5% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption was 233,497 tons, a 33.1% increase; six month import penetration was 51.0%, a 3.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel bar: Imports in YTD June 2012 were 78,831 tons, a 7.8% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption was 139,194 tons, a 1.4% increase; six month import penetration was 56.6%, a 3.3 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel rod: Imports in YTD June 2012 were 16,070 tons, a 3.6% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption was 37,185 tons, a 10.6% decrease; six month import penetration was 43.2%, a 5.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel wire: Imports in YTD June 2012 were 24,225 tons, a 1.8% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption was 29,944 tons, a 3.1% decrease; six month import penetration was 80.9%, a 3.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD June 2012 were 453,372 tons, a 11.6% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption was 1,289,664 tons, a 5.6% increase; six month import penetration was 35.2%, a 1.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Alloy tool steel: Imports in YTD June 2012 were 66,960 tons, a 26.2% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
• Electrical steel: Imports in YTD June 2012 were 61,889 tons, a 12.5% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.

Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in YTD June 2012 were 582,221 tons, a 13.2% increase compared to YTD June 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.

"Total year-to-date stainless steel imports are up 11.6% over the same period in 2011," said Skip Hartquist of Kelley Drye & Warren LLP, acting as counsel to SSINA. "This is more than double the 5.6% increase in US consumption. In particular, we are monitoring the remarkable surge in imports of stainless steel plate, which are up 43.5% over 2011." 

The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers, which include high technology, high value stainless and other specialty alloy products.

SSINA member companies include: ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, Pa., and ATI Allvac, Monroe, N.C., (both Allegheny Technologies companies); Carpenter Technology Corporation, Reading, Pa.; Crucible Industries, Solvay, N.Y.; Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.; North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.; Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.; and Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.