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Stainless, Specialty Imports See Slight Dip in September 2008

12/15/2008 - ABSTRACT: Total stainless steel imports reached 595,648 tons through the first nine months of 2008, a 1.7% decrease from YTD September 2007, according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty imports reached 760,368 tons in the same period, a 0.3% decrease compared to YTD September 2007.

Total stainless steel imports reached 595,648 tons through the first nine months of 2008, a 1.7% decrease from YTD September 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 760,368 tons in the same period, a 0.3% decrease compared to YTD September 2007.
 
Data included in the SSIN report reflects U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD September 2008 compared to YTD September 2007 for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD September 2008 imports were 367,424 tons, an 11.1% increase compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,033,430 tons through the same period, a 9.8% decrease, while nine-month import penetration was 35.6%, a 6.7 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD September 2008 imports were 76,049 tons, a 37.8% decrease compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 189,645 tons through the same period, a 31.4% decrease, while nine-month import penetration was 40.1%, a 4.4 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Stainless steel bar YTD September 2008 imports were 95,048 tons, a 2.3% increase compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 183,077 tons through the same period, a 5.5% increase, while nine-month import penetration was 51.9%, a 1.7 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Stainless steel rod YTD September 2008 imports were 23,641 tons, a 3.3% decrease compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 48,973 tons through the same period, a 1.5% increase, while nine-month import penetration was 48.3%, a 2.4 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Stainless steel wire YTD September 2008 imports were 33,486 tons, a 5.2% decrease compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 57,058 tons through the same period, a 4.5% decrease, while nine-month import penetration was 58.7%, a 0.4 percentage point decrease from 2007.
 
Through YTD September 2008, total stainless steel imports (comprising the foregoing product lines) were 595,648 tons, a 1.7% decrease compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,512,182 tons through the same period, an 11.2% decrease, while nine-month import penetration was 39.4%, a 3.8 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD September 2008 imports were 76,068 tons, a 3.3% increase compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption and import penetration through the same period were not calculable.
 
Electrical steel YTD September 2008 imports were 88,652 tons, a 6.8% increase compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 265,316 tons through the same period, a 19.7% decrease from September 2007, while nine-month import penetration was 33.4%, an 8.3 percentage point increase from 2007.
 
Through YTD September 2008, total specialty steel imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 760,368 tons, a 0.3% decrease compared to YTD September 2007. U.S. consumption was 1,839,443 tons through the same period, a 12.2% decrease, while nine-month import penetration was 41.3%, a 4.9 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:
 
  • AK Steel Corp., West Chester, Ohio
  • 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.