The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) has released statistical data on imports, U.S. consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date July 2012. The data represents U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD July 2012 compared to the same 2011 seven 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 July 2012 were 266,511 tons, a 6.4% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption was 1,008,373 tons, a 4.7% increase; seven month import penetration was 26.4%, a 0.4 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel plate: Imports in YTD July 2012 were 142,520 tons, a 33.7% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption was 272,446 tons, a 27.8% increase; seven month import penetration was 52.3%, a 2.3 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel bar: Imports in YTD July 2012 were 91,827 tons, a 7.1% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption was 161,016 tons, a 2.3% increase; seven month import penetration was 57.0%, a 2.5 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel rod: Imports in YTD July 2012 were 19,581 tons, a 7.3% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption was 44,618 tons, a 6.0% decrease; seven month import penetration was 43.9%, a 5.5 percentage point increase from 2011.
• Stainless steel wire: Imports in YTD July 2012 were 28,279 tons, a 1.8% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption was 34,896 tons, a 3.3% decrease; seven month import penetration was 81.0%, a 4.1 percentage point increase from 2011.　

Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD July 2012 were 548,719 tons, a 12.3% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption was 1,521,348 tons, a 7.3% increase; seven month import penetration was 36.1%, a 1.6 percentage point increase from 2011.

• Alloy tool steel: Imports in YTD July 2012 were 78,980 tons, a 26.6% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
• Electrical steel: Imports in YTD July 2012 were 71,524 tons, a 11.4% increase compared to YTD July 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 July 2012 were 699,223 tons, a 13.6% increase compared to YTD July 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.

"Total specialty steel imports year-to-date continue to grow each month over the same period in 2011," according to David A. Hartquist of Kelley Drye & Warren and counsel to SSINA. "Through July, imports are up 13.6 percent over last year, far exceeding the growth in the US market."

Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-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, NC (both Allegheny Technologies companies); Carpenter Technology Corporation, Reading, PA; Crucible Industries, Solvay, NY; Electralloy, Oil City, PA; North American Stainless, Ghent, KY; Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, PA; and Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, IN.