Stainless, Specialty Imports Continue to Climb through YTD November 2010
03/04/2011 - Total stainless imports reached 598,182 tons in YTD November 2010, a 71.7% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period, according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty steel imports reached 763,015 tons through the same period, a 72.5% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period.
Total stainless imports reached 598,182 tons in YTD November 2010, a 71.7% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).
Total specialty (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 763,015 tons through the same period, a 72.5% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period.
Dr. Sunil Widge, Chairman of SSINA, noted large increases in imports for every product category, with the increases in imports exceeding the growth in US consumption for each product category. As to total stainless steel, the 71.7% growth of imports was double the 35.4 % improvement in consumption.
“SSINA is studying import patterns to determine whether unfair trade practices such as dumping and foreign government subsidies are affecting the marketplace," said Widge.
Data included in the SSINA report reflect U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD November 2010 compared to the same 2009 eleven-month period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
YTD November 2010 stainless steel sheet/strip imports were 350,111 tons, a 78.9% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 1,146,296 tons through the same period, a 30.0% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 30.5%, an 8.3 percentage point increase from 2009.
YTD November 2010 stainless steel plate imports were 88,488 tons, a 100.7% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 242,285 tons through the same period, a 45.6% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 36.5%, a 10.0 percentage point increase from 2009.
YTD November 2010 stainless steel bar imports were 97,153 tons, a 44.1% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 197,942 tons through the same period, a 46.8% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 49.1%, a 0.9 percentage point decrease from 2009.
YTD November 2010 stainless steel rod imports were 21,727 tons, a 69.7% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 59,848 tons through the same period, an 80.9% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 36.3%, a 2.4 percentage point decrease from 2009.
YTD November 2010 stainless steel wire imports were 40,703 tons, a 43.0% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 52,482 tons through the same period, a 36.3% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 77.6%, a 3.7 percentage point increase from 2009.
Through YTD November 2010, imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) were 598,182 tons, a 71.7% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 1,698,853 tons through the same period, a 35.4% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 35.2%, a 7.4 percentage point increase from 2009.
YTD November 2010 alloy tool steel imports were 76,938 tons, a 131.7% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
YTD November 2010 electrical steel imports were 87,896 tons, a 45.0% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 177,077 tons through the same period, a 4.8% decrease from YTD November 2009, while eleven-month import penetration was 49.6%, a 17.0 percentage point increase from 2009.
Through YTD November 2010, imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 763,015 tons, a 72.5% increase compared to YTD November 2009. U.S. consumption was 1,923,313 tons through the same period, a 31.7% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 39.7%, a 9.4 percentage point increase from 2009.
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing most continental specialty metals producers. Member companies include:
- ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, Pa., an Allegheny Technologies company
- ATI Allvac, Monroe, N.C., an Allegheny Technologies company
- Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, Pa.
- Crucible Industries, Solvay, N.Y.
- Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.
- Latrobe Specialty Steel Co., Latrobe, Pa.
- North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.
- Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
- Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
- Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.
