Open / Close Advertisement

Stainless, Specialty Imports Continue to Outpace ‘06 through first Eight Months

11/16/2007 - Total stainless imports reach 550,872 tons through the first eight months of 2007, a 2% increase compared to YTD 2006, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America, while total specialty steel imports reach 694,271 tons over the same period, a 6% increase compared to YTD August 2006.

Total stainless imports reached 550,872 tons through the first eight months of 2007 (YTD 2007), a 2% increase compared to YTD 2006, according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). Total specialty steel imports (including stainless, alloy and tool steels) reached 694,271 tons over the same period, a 6% increase compared to YTD August 2006.
 
Specific product lines experienced both increases and decreases in imports, domestic consumption and import penetration over the first eight months of 2007 compared to the first eight months of 2006.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD August 2007 imports were 299,633 tons, a 13% decrease compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 1,032,314 tons over the same period, a 17% decrease; and eight-month import penetration was 29%, a one-percentage-point increase.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD August 2007 imports were 111,954 tons, a 66% increase compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 255,273 tons over the same period, a 12% increase; while eight-month import penetration was 44%, a fourteen-percentage-point increase.
 
Stainless steel bar YTD August 2007 imports were 85,317 tons, a 12% increase compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 158,497 tons over the same period, a 4% increase; while eight-month import penetration was 54%, a four-percentage-point increase.
 
Stainless steel rod YTD August 2007 imports were 22,077 tons, a 12% increase compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 43,733 tons over the same period, a 1% decrease; while eight-month import penetration was 50%, a six-percentage-point increase.
 
Stainless steel wire YTD August 2007 imports were 31,891 tons, reflecting no change compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 55,810 tons over the same period, a 2% decrease, while eight-month import penetration was 57%, a one-percentage-point increase.
 
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in the first eight months of 2007 were 550,872 tons, a 2% increase compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 1,545,626 tons over the same period, an 11% decrease, while eight-month import penetration was 36%, a five-percentage-point increase.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD August 2007 imports were 67,034 tons, a 4% decrease compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable over this period.
 
Electrical steel YTD August 2007 imports were 76,365 tons, a 67% increase compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 296,101 tons over the same period, reflecting no change, while eight-month import penetration was 26%, a ten-percentage-point increase.
 
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in the first eight months of 2007 were 694,271 tons, a 6% increase compared to YTD August 2006. U.S. consumption was 1,897,236 tons over the same period, a 9% decrease, while eight-month import penetration was 37%, a five-percentage-point increase.
 
"SSINA member companies are particularly concerned about the substantial increase in imports of stainless steel plate, up 66% over YTD 2006,” said Douglas A. Kittenbrink, Chairman of SSINA and Executive Vice President of Allegheny Technologies Inc. “Imports from South Africa are up 183%, Italy, +117%, Sweden, +108%, and Belgium, 59%.”
 
“It is notable that imports from South Africa, Italy, and Belgium are subject to both antidumping duties and countervailing duties, based on U.S. government determinations that the producers have dumped coiled stainless plate in the U.S. market and have received significant subsidies from their governments.
 
“Preliminary data for September also indicates that China has jumped into the U.S. stainless steel plate market as well, suddenly becoming the second largest foreign supplier. At this time last year, China was only the 12th largest import source. We will continue to monitor this closely," concluded Kittenbrink.
 
SSINA is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Specialty metals are high technology, high value stainless and other specialty alloy products. Member companies are:
  • AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio
  • ATI Allegheny Ludlum, 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.
  • ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
  • ThyssenKrupp VDM USA, Inc., Florham Park, N.J.
  • Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
  • Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.