Total stainless steel imports climbed to 234,130 tons through the first four months of 2005 — a 26% increase compared to the same period in 2004 — according to the latest data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). As imports climbed, U.S. consumption remained flat at 800,512 tons, bringing four-month import penetration to 29%, a six percentage point increase compared to the same period in 2004.

All stainless steel product lines experienced import increases through YTD 2005, including stainless steel sheet/strip, which recorded YTD imports of 135,969 tons, a 19% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. stainless sheet/strip consumption was flat at 586,120 tons, bringing import penetration to 23%, a four percentage point increase.

Stainless steel plate imports climbed to 25,583 tons through April 2005, a 20% increase over YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 92,501 tons, a 3% decrease compared to 2004. Import penetration reached 28% over the period, a six percentage point increase.

Stainless steel bar imports were 41,331 tons through April 12005, a 74% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption climbed to 82,729 tons over the period, a 29% increase compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration reached 50%, a 13 percentage point increase.

Imports of stainless steel rod reached 16,638 tons through April 2005, a 32% increase. U.S. consumption was 26,678 tons over the same period, a 5% increase compared to YTD 2004. Import penetration reached 62%, a 12 percentage point increase.

Stainless steel wire imports were 14,609 tons through April 2005, a 4% increase. U.S. consumption and import penetration for this product line are calculated quarterly.

Total stainless steel imports (comprising the above product lines) in YTD April 2005 were 234,130 tons, a 26% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was flat over the period at 800,512 tons. Four-month import penetration was 29%, a six percentage point increase.

Alloy tool steel imports reached 40,172 tons through April 2005, a 56% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.

Electrical steel imports were 32,441 tons through April 2005, a 35% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 139,666 tons, a 10% increase. Import penetration was 23%, a four percentage point increase compared to YTD 2004.

Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in the YTD April 2005 were 306,744 tons, a 30% increase; U.S. consumption was 974,435 tons, a 3% increase compared to YTD 2004. Four-month import penetration was 31%, a six percentage point increase.

SSINA is a Washington, D.C.,-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers. Member companies are:

• AK Steel Corp., Middletown, Ohio
• Allegheny Ludlum Corp., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Allvac, Monroe, N.C. (both Allegheny Technologies companies)
• Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, Pa.
• Charter Specialty Steel, Fond du Lac, Wis.
• Crucible Specialty Metals, Syracuse, N.Y.
• Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.
• Haynes International Inc., Kokomo, Ind.
• ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico
• North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.
• Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
• Precision Rolled Products, Inc., Florham Park, N.J.
• Special Metals Corp., Huntington, W.Va.
• Techalloy Central Wire Group, Mahwah, N.J.
• Timken Latrobe Steel, Latrobe, Pa.
• Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
• Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.

David A. Hartquist, an international trade attorney with the Washington, DC law firm Collier Shannon Scott, PLLC, serves as lead counsel to SSINA.