Stainless, Specialty Imports Dip Slightly Through November as Consumption Slumps
02/20/2009 - Total stainless imports reached 695,256 tons through the first eleven months of 2008, a 2.2% decrease compared to YTD November 2007 according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty imports reached 895,714 tons through the same period, a 1.5% decrease compared to YTD November 2007.
Total stainless imports reached 695,256 tons through the first eleven months of 2008, a 2.2% decrease compared to YTD November 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 895,714 tons through the same period, a 1.5% decrease compared to YTD November 2007.
Data included in the SSINA report reflects U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD October 2008 compared to the same 2007 ten-month period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD November imports were 423,593 tons, an 8.9% increase compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,191,478 tons through the same period, a 15.0% decrease, while eleven-month import penetration was 35.6%, a 7.8 percentage point increase from 2007.
Stainless steel plate YTD November imports were 89,124 tons, a 35.4% decrease compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 222,110 tons through the same period, a 30.1% decrease, while eleven-month import penetration was 40.1%, a 3.3 percentage point decrease from 2007.
Stainless steel bar YTD November imports were 113,340 tons, a 0.6% increase compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 214,934 tons through the same period, a 2.2% increase, while eleven-month import penetration was 52.7% a 0.9 percentage point decrease from 2007.
Stainless steel rod YTD November imports were 28,779 tons, a 0.7% increase compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 58,228 tons through the same period, a 0.7% decrease, while eleven-month import penetration was 49.4%, a 0.6 percentage point increase from 2007.
Stainless steel wire YTD November imports were 40,420 tons, a 5.4% decrease compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 68,946 tons through the same period, a 4.0% decrease, while eleven-month import penetration was 58.6%, a 0.9 percentage point decrease from 2007.
Through YTD November 2008, total stainless steel imports (comprising the foregoing product lines) were 695,256 tons, a 2.2% decrease compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,755,696 tons through the same period, a 14.8% decrease, while eleven-month import penetration was 39.6%, a 5.1 percentage point increase from 2007.
Alloy tool steel YTD November imports were 89,563 tons, a 5.5% decrease compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Electrical steel YTD November imports were 110,895 tons, a 7.2% increase compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 318,134 tons through the same period, a 19.9% decrease from November 2007, while eleven-month import penetration was 34.9%, an 8.8 percentage point increase from 2007.
Through YTD November 2008, total specialty steel imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 895,714 tons, a 1.5% decrease compared to YTD November 2007. U.S. consumption was 2,144,133 tons through the same period, a 15.4% decrease, while eleven-month import penetration was 41.8%, a 5.9 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:
- 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.
- ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico
- Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
- Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.
