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Stainless, Specialty Imports Creep Upward through First Quarter

06/11/2008 - Total stainless steel imports reached 200,161 tons through the first three months of 2008, a 2.1% increase compared to YTD March 2007 according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty steel imports (stainless steel, alloy tool steel, and electrical steel) grew by 4.7% over the same period.

Total stainless steel imports reached 200,161 tons through the first three months of 2008, a 2.1% increase compared to YTD March 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 259,927 tons through the first three months, a 4.7% increase compared to YTD March 2007.
 
Data included in the SSINA report reflects U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD March 2008 compared to the comparable 2007 three-month period.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD March 2008 imports were 128,418 tons, a 19.2% increase compared to YTD March 2007. U.S. consumption was 369,450 tons over the same period, a 7.4% decrease, while three-month import penetration was 34.8%, a 7.8-percentage-point increase from 2007.
 
The significant increase in imports of stainless steel sheet and strip, during a period of decreased consumption, was led by a surge in Chinese imports. Chinese imports of sheet and strip increased by 47.2% in the first quarter as compared to the first quarter of 2007.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD March 2008 imports were 24,053 tons, a 31.5% decrease compared to YTD March 2007. U.S. consumption was 65,274 tons over the same period, a 35.2% decrease, while three-month import penetration was 36.8%, a 1.9-percentage-point increase from 2007.

Stainless steel bar YTD March 2008 imports were 30,475 tons, a 7.4% decrease compared to YTD March 2007. U.S. consumption was 63,879 tons over the same period, a 1.9% decrease, while three-month import penetration was 47.7%, a 2.8-percentage-point decrease from 2007.

Stainless steel rod YTD March 2008 imports were 6,932 tons, a 21.7% decrease compared to YTD March 2007. U.S. consumption was 12,738 tons over the same period, a 32.7% decrease, while three-month import penetration was 54.4%, a 7.6-percentage-point increase from 2007.

Stainless steel wire YTD March 2008 imports were 10,283 tons, a 10.6% decrease compared to YTD March 2007. U.S. consumption was 18,045 tons in the first three months, a 16.9% decrease, while three-month import penetration was 57.0%, a 2.6-percentage-point increase from 2007.
 
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD March 2008 were 200,161 tons, a 2.1% increase compared to YTD March 2007. U.S. consumption was 529,387 tons over the same period, a 12.5% decrease, while three-month import penetration was 37.8%, a 5.4-percentage-point increase from 2007.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD March 2008 imports were 29,113 tons, a 17.6% increase compared to YTD March 2007.  U.S. consumption and import penetration over the three months were not calculable.

Electrical steel YTD March 2008 imports were 30,653 tons, a 12.4% increase compared to YTD March 2007.  U.S. consumption was 94,483 tons in the first three months, a 17.6% decrease from March 2007, while three-month import penetration was 32.4%, an 8.6-percentage-point increase from 2007.
 
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in YTD March 2008 were 259,927 tons, a 4.7% increase compared to YTD March 2007. U.S. consumption was 649,053 tons in the first three months, a 12.2% decrease, and three-month import penetration was 40.0%, a 6.4-percentage-point increase from 2007.
 
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, D.C., 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.