Stainless, Specialty Imports Down 64% through May
09/15/2009 - Total stainless imports reached 147,354 tons through May 2009, a 63.6% decrease compared to YTD May 2008 according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty imports reached 205,558 tons through the same period, a 53.0% decrease compared to YTD May 2008.
Total stainless imports reached 147,354 tons through May 2009, a 63.6% decrease compared to YTD May 2008 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 205,558 tons through the same period, a 53.0% decrease compared to YTD May 2008.
Data included in the SSINA report reflect U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD May
2009 compared to the same 2008 five-month period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD May 2009 imports were 79,027 tons, a 63.7% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 331,893 tons through the same period, a 48.3% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 23.8%, a 10.2 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Stainless steel plate YTD May 2009 imports were 15,461 tons, a 62.4% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 67,946 tons through the same period, a 39.9% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 22.8%, a 13.6 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Stainless steel bar YTD May 2009 imports were 35,897 tons, a 30.7% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 68,045 tons through the same period, a 32.8% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 52.8%, a 1.7 percentage point increase from 2008.
Stainless steel rod YTD May 2009 imports were 4,817 tons, a 63.6% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 11,477 tons through the same period, a 56.9% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 42.0%, a 7.8 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Stainless steel wire YTD May 2009 imports were 12,152 tons, a 34.9% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 16,134 tons through the same period, a 48.5% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 75.3%, a 15.7 percentage point increase from 2008.
Through YTD May 2009, imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) were 147,354 tons, a 57.0% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 495,494 tons through the same period, a 45.8% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 29.7%, a 7.8 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Alloy tool steel YTD May 2009 imports were 18,024 tons, a 61.8% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Electrical steel YTD May 2009 imports were 40,180 tons, a 14.6% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 110,209 tons through the same period, a 30.5% decrease from YTD May 2008, while five-month import penetration was 36.5%, a 6.8 percentage point increase from 2008.
Through YTD May 2009, imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 205,558 tons, a 53.0% decrease compared to YTD May 2008. U.S. consumption was 619,096 tons through the same period, a 44.3% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 33.2%, a 6.1 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers, which include high technology, high value stainless and other specialty alloy products. Member companies include
- ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Allegheny Technologies company)
- ATI Allvac, Monroe, N.C. (an Allegheny Technologies company)
- Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, Pa.
- Crucible Specialty Metals, Syracuse, N.Y.
- Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.
- Latrobe Specialty Steel Company, Latrobe, Pa.
- North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.
- Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
- ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
- Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
- Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.
