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Stainless, Specialty Imports Finish 2010 Nearly 70% Above 2009

03/25/2011 - Total stainless imports reached 662,695 tons in YTD December 2010, a 69.6% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period, according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty imports reached 842,055 tons through the same period, a 70.4% increase compared to last year.

Total stainless imports reached 662,695 tons in YTD December 2010, a 69.6% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period, 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 842,055 tons through the same period, a 70.4% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period.
 
“We are particularly concerned about recent increases in imports of large diameter stainless steel bar,” said Dr. Sunil Widge, Chairman of SSINA. “New breakouts in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule have allowed us to track import trends of large diameter stainless steel bar since July 2009.
 
“Imports increased 170.1% between July- December 2009 and July-December 2010. The largest exporting countries were Germany and Italy,” added Widge.
 
Data included in the SSINA report reflect U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD December 2010 compared to the same 2009 twelve-month period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
 
YTD December 2010 stainless steel sheet/strip imports were 387,564 tons, a 76.4% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 1,250,105 tons through the same period, a 29.6% increase, while twelve-month import penetration was 31.0%, an 8.2 percentage point increase from 2009.
 
YTD December 2010 stainless steel plate imports were 97,414 tons, a 92.1% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 258,881 tons through the same period, a 44.0% increase, while twelve-month import penetration was 37.6%, a 9.4 percentage point increase from 2009.
 
YTD December 2010 stainless steel bar imports were 108,621 tons, a 46.4% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 218,319 tons through the same period, a 48.9% increase, while twelve-month import penetration was 49.8%, a 0.8 percentage point decrease from 2009.
 
YTD December 2010 stainless steel rod imports were 24,306 tons, a 68.4% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 65,391 tons through the same period, a 78.0% increase, while twelve-month import penetration was 37.2%, a 2.1 percentage point decrease from 2009.
 
YTD December 2010 stainless steel wire imports were 44,790 tons, a 41.0% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 57,587 tons through the same period, a 36.2% increase, while twelve-month import penetration was 77.8%, a 2.6 percentage point increase from 2009.
 
Through YTD December 2010, imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) were 662,695 tons, a 69.6% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 1,850,283 tons through the same period, a 35.0% increase, while twelve-month import penetration was 35.8%, a 7.3 percentage point increase from 2009.
 
YTD December 2010 alloy tool steel imports were 85,046 tons, a 125.9% increase compared to YTD December 2009; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
 
YTD December 2010 electrical steel imports were 94,314 tons, a 43.7% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 196,549 tons through the same period, a 1.0% decrease from YTD December 2009, while twelve-month import penetration was 48.0%, a 14.9 percentage point increase from 2009.
 
Through YTD December 2010, imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 842,055 tons, a 70.4% increase compared to YTD December 2009. U.S. consumption was 2,100,227 tons through the same period, a 31.9% increase, while twelve-month import penetration was 40.1%, a 9.1 percentage point increase from 2009.
 
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing most 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.
  • Crucible Industries, Solvay, N.Y.
  • 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.