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Stainless, Specialty Imports Still Down through February as Consumption Lags

05/20/2009 - Total stainless imports reached 63,391 tons through February 2009, a 51.3% decrease compared to YTD February 2008 according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty imports reached 93,272 tons through the same period, a 44.6% decrease compared to YTD February 2008.

Total stainless imports reached 63,391 tons through February 2009, a 51.3% decrease compared to YTD February 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 93,272 tons through the same period, a 44.6% decrease compared to YTD February 2008.
 
Data included in the SSINA report reflect U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD February
2009 compared to the same 2008 two-month period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
 
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD February 2009 imports were 34,103 tons, a 59.3% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 143,148 tons through the same period, a 40.6% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 23.8%, an 11.0 percentage point decrease from 2008.
 
Stainless steel plate YTD February 2009 imports were 7,866 tons, a 50.4% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 28,148 tons through the same period, a 36.5% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 27.9%, a 7.9 percentage point decrease from 2008.
 
Stainless steel bar YTD February 2009 imports were 14,380 tons, a 25.8% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 28,693 tons through the same period, a 31.8% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 50.1%, a 4.1 percentage point increase from 2008.
 
Stainless steel rod YTD February 2009 imports were 2,019 tons, a 54.9% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 4,820 tons through the same period, a 52.7% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 41.9%, a 2.1 percentage point decrease from 2008.
 
Stainless steel wire YTD February 2009 imports were 5,023 tons, a 25.5% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 6,687 tons through the same period, a 45.3% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 75.1%, a 19.9 percentage point increase from 2008.
 
Through YTD February 2009, imports of total stainless steel(comprising the foregoing product lines) were 63,391 tons, a 51.3% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 211,496 tons through the same period, a 39.5% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 30.0%, a 7.2 percentage point decrease from 2008.
 
Alloy tool steel YTD February 2009 imports were 9,191 tons, a 52.5% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption and import penetration through the same period were not calculable.
 
Electrical steel YTD February 2009 imports were 20,690 tons, an 11.2% increase compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 53,833 tons through the same period, an 8.7% decrease from February 2008, while two-month import penetration was 38.4%, a 6.9 percentage point increase from 2008.
 
Through YTD February 2009, imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 93,272 tons, a 44.6% decrease compared to YTD February 2008. U.S. consumption was 272,582 tons through the same period, a 35.9% decrease, while two-month import penetration was 34.2%, a 5.3 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., 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.
  • Latrobe Specialty Steel Co., 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.