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Stainless, Specialty Imports Continue Their Slow Climb through May

08/15/2008 - Total stainless steel imports reached 342,747 tons through the first five months of 2008, a 3.2% increase compared to YTD May 2007, according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty steel imports grew by 2.9% over the same period.

Total stainless steel imports reached 342,747 tons through the first five months of 2008, a 3.2% increase compared to YTD May 2007, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).
 
Total specialty steel imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel, and electrical steel) reached 436,950 tons through the first five months, a 2.9% increase compared to YTD May 2007.
 
Data included in the SSINA report reflects U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD April and May 2008 compared to the comparable 2007 four- and five-month periods.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD April 2008 imports were 173,905 tons, a 21.0% increase compared to YTD April 2007. U.S. consumption was 517,342 tons over the same period, a 3.8% decrease, while four-month import penetration was 33.6%, a 6.9 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Through YTD May 2008, Stainless steel sheet/strip imports were 217,921 tons, an 18.2% increase compared to YTD May 2007; U.S. consumption was 641,842 tons over the same period, a 3.9% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 34.0%, a 6.4 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD April 2008 imports were 31,409 tons, a 30.4% decrease compared to YTD April 2007; U.S. consumption was 95,946 tons over the same period, a 26.7% decrease, while four-month import penetration was 32.7%, a 1.8 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
ThroughYTD May 2008, Stainless steel plate imports were 41,135 tons, a 30.1% decrease compared to YTD May 2007; U.S. consumption was 113,082 tons over the same period, a 30.5% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 36.4%, a 0.2 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel bar YTD May 2008 imports were 41,793 tons, a 3.6% decrease compared to YTD April 2007; U.S. consumption was 81,400 tons over the same period, a 13.4% decrease, while four-month import penetration was 51.3%, a .1 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Through YTD May 2008, Stainless steel bar imports were 51,781 tons, a 4.5% decrease compared to YTD May 2007; U.S. consumption was 101,288 tons over the same period, a 3.2% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 51.1%, a 0.7 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Stainless steel rod YTD April 2008 imports were 10,279 tons, a 10.5% decrease compared to YTD April 2007; U.S. consumption was 20,874 tons over the same period, a 15.3% decrease; four-month import penetration was 49.2%, a 2.6 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Through YTD May 2008, Stainless steel rod imports were 13,246 tons, an 8.6% decrease compared to YTD May 2007; U.S. consumption was 26,599 tons over the same period, a 12.8% decrease; five-month import penetration was 49.8%, a 2.3 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel wire YTD April 2008 imports were 14,334 tons, a 7.1% decrease compared to YTD April 2007; U.S. consumption was 24,956 tons over the same period, an 11.0% decrease; four-month import penetration was 57.4%, a 2.4 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Through YTD May 2008, Stainless steel wire imports were 18,663 tons, a 6.8% decrease compared to YTD May 2007; U.S. consumption was 32,043 tons over the same period, an 8.7% decrease; five-month import penetration was 58.2%, a 1.1 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD April 2008 were 271,719 tons, a 4.9% increase compared to YTD April 2007. U.S. consumption was 740,517 tons over that period, an 8.1% decrease, while four-month import penetration was 36.7%, a 4.6 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Through YTD May 2008, imports of total stainless steel reached 342,747 tons, a 3.2% increase compared to YTD May 2007. U.S. consumption was 914,853 tons over that period, an 8.6% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 37.5%, a 4.3 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD April 2008 imports were 38,469 tons, a 3.3% increase compared to YTD April 2007. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
 
ThroughYTD May 2008, Alloy tool steel imports were 47,179 tons, a 4.5% increase compared to YTD May 2007. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
 
Electrical steel YTD April 2008 imports were 41,140 tons, a 13.7% increase compared to YTD April 2007. U.S. consumption was 132,529 tons over the same period, a 9.9% decrease from April 2007, while four-month import penetration was 31.0%, a 6.4 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
ThroughYTD May 2008, Electrical steel imports were 47,024 tons, a 0.7% decrease compared to YTD May 2007. U.S. consumption was 158,567 tons over the same period, a 14.2% decrease from May 2007, while five-month import penetration was 29.7%, a 4.1 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in YTD April 2008 were 351,328 tons, a 5.7% increase compared to YTD April 2007. U.S. consumption was 905,788 tons over the same period, a 7.9% decrease, while four-month import penetration was 38.8%, a 5.0 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Through YTD May 2008, imports of total specialty steel reached 436,950 tons, a 2.9% increase compared to YTD May 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,113,202 tons over the same period, a 9.0% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 39.3%, a 4.6 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 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.