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Stainless, Specialty Imports Continue Their Slow Climb through July

10/14/2008 - Total stainless steel imports reached 482,223 tons through the first seven months of 2008, a 0.7% decrease compared to YTD July 2007, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America. Total specialty imports increased 0.2% over the same period.

Total stainless steel imports reached 482,223 tons through the first seven months of 2008, a 0.7% decrease compared to YTD July 2007, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).
 
Total specialty imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 613,510 tons in the same period, a 0.2% increase compared to YTD July 2007.
 
Data included in the SSINA report reflects U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD July 2008 compared to YTD July 2007 for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel, and total specialty steel.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD July 2008 imports were 300,802 tons, a 12.7% increase compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 846,082 tons over the same period, a 7.7% decrease, while seven-month import penetration was 35.6%, a 6.5 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD July 2008 imports were 61,057 tons, a 37.0% decrease compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 154,437 tons over the same period, a 32.7% decrease, while seven-month import penetration was 39.5%, a 2.8 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Stainless steel bar YTD July 2008 imports were 75,290 tons, a 0.7% increase compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 145,211 tons over the same period, a 3.6% increase, while seven-month import penetration was 51.8%, a 1.6 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Stainless steel rod YTD July 2008 imports were 19,227 tons, a 2.4% decrease compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 38,640 tons over the same period, a 1.9% decrease, while seven-month import penetration was 49.8%, a 0.2 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Stainless steel wire YTD July 2008 imports were 25,846 tons, a 6.2% decrease compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 44,516 tons over the same period, a 5.5% decrease, while seven-month import penetration was 58.1%, a 0.4 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Through YTD July 2008, total stainless steel imports were 482,223 tons, a 0.7% decrease compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,228,885 tons over the same period, a 10.5% decrease, while seven-month import penetration was 39.2%, a 3.8 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD July 2008 imports were 63,175 tons, a 6.0% increase compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption and import penetration over the same period were not calculable.
 
Electrical steel YTD July 2008 imports were 68,113 tons, a 1.8% increase compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 209,473 tons over the same period, a 19.8% decrease from July 2007, while seven-month import penetration was 41.2%, a 6.9 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Through YTD July 2008, total specialty steel imports were 613,510 tons, a 0.2% increase compared to YTD July 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,489,742 tons over the same period, an 11.5% decrease, while seven-month import penetration was 41.2%, a 4.8 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Member companies include:
 
  • AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio
  • ATI Allegheny Ludlum Corp., 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.
  • San Luis Potosí, S.L.P., Mexico
  • ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico
  • Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
  • Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.