Stainless, Specialty Imports Down More than 45% through Year-End 2009
03/30/2010 - Total stainless imports reached 390,831 tons through December 2009, a 46.4% decrease compared to YTD December 2008 according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty imports reached 390,831 tons through the same period, a 47.8% decrease compared to YTD December 2008.
Total stainless imports reached 390,831 tons through December 2009, a 46.4% decrease compared to YTD December 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 390,831 tons through the same period, a 47.8% decrease compared to YTD December 2008.
Data included in the SSINA report reflect U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD December 2009 compared to the comparable 2008 period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD December 2009 imports were 219,710 tons, a 50.2% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 964,919 tons over the same period, a 22.5% decrease, while twelve-month import penetration was 22.8%, a 12.6 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Stainless steel plate YTD December 2009 imports were 50,723 tons, a 45.7% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 179,799 tons over the same period, a 23.2% decrease, while twelve-month import penetration was 28.2%, an 11.7 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Stainless steel bar YTD December 2009 imports were 74,188 tons, a 38.7% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 146,650 tons over the same period, a 35.4% decrease, while twelve-month import penetration was 50.6%, a 2.7 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Stainless steel rod YTD December 2009 imports were 14,434 tons, a 51.7% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 36,743 tons over the same period, a 39.5% decrease, while twelve-month import penetration was 39.3%, a 9.9 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Stainless steel wire YTD December 2009 imports were 31,776 tons, a 25.9% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 44,796 tons over the same period, a 31.4% decrease, while twelve-month import penetration was 70.9%, a 5.3 percentage point increase from 2008.
Through YTD December 2009, imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) reached 390,831 tons, a 46.4% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 1,372,908 tons over the same period, a 25.1% decrease, while twelve-month import penetration was 28.5%, an 11.2 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Alloy tool steel YTD December 2009 imports were 37,649 tons, a 60.9% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Electrical steel YTD December 2009 imports were 65,624 tons, a 45.7% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 198,507 tons over the same period, a 42.5% decrease from YTD December 2008, while twelve-month import penetration was 33.1%, a 1.9 percentage point decrease from 2008.
Through YTD November 2009, imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 494,105 tons, a 47.8% decrease compared to YTD December 2008. U.S. consumption was 1,594,438 tons through the same period, a 29.3% decrease, while twelve-month import penetration was 31.0%, an 11.0 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. 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.
- 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.
