Stainless Steel Imports up 60% Through May 2010
08/23/2010 - Total stainless steel imports reached 235,739 tons in YTD May 2010, 60.0% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period according to the latest report from SSINA. Total specialty steel imports were up 46.7% through the same period.
Total stainless steel imports reached 235,739 tons in YTD May 2010, 60.0% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period according to the latest report from the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).
Total specialty steel imports (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) reached 301,619 tons through the same period, a 46.7% increase compared to the comparable year-ago period.
Data included in the SSINA report reflect U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for YTD May 2010 compared to the same 2009 five-month period for major specialty steel product lines, as well as for total stainless steel and total specialty steel.
Stainless steel sheet/strip YTD May 2010 imports were 140,490 tons, a 77.8% increase compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption was 536,917 tons through the same period, a 61.8% increase, while five-month import penetration was 26.2%, a 2.4 percentage point increase from 2009.
Stainless steel plate YTD May 2010 imports were 28,180 tons, an 82.3% increase compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption was 99,926 tons through the same period, a 47.1% increase, while five-month import penetration was 28.2%, a 5.4 percentage point increase from 2009.
Stainless steel bar YTD May 2010 imports were 39,468 tons, a 9.9% increase compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption was 83,405 tons through the same period, a 22.6% increase, while five-month import penetration was 47.3%, a 5.5 percentage point decrease from 2009.
Stainless steel rod YTD May 2010 imports were 10,105 tons, a 109.8% increase compared to YTD May 2009; U.S. consumption was 25,605 tons through the same period through the same period, a 123.1% increase, while five-month import penetration was 39.5%, a 2.5 percentage point decrease from 2009.
Stainless steel wire YTD May 2010 imports were 17,497 tons, a 44.0% increase compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption was 21,638 tons through the same period, a 24.4 % increase, while five-month import penetration was 80.9%, an 11.0 percentage point increase from 2009.
Through YTD May 2010, imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) were 235,739 tons, a 60.0% increase compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption was 767,491 tons through the same period, a 54.5% increase, while five-month import penetration was 30.7%, a 1.0 percentage point increase from 2009.
Alloy tool steel YTD May 2010 imports were 27,857 tons, a 54.6% increase compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Electrical steel YTD May 2010 imports were 38,023 tons, a 5.4% decrease compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption was 90,399 tons through the same period, an 18.0% decrease from YTD May 2009, while five-month import penetration was 42.1%, a 5.6 percentage point increase from 2009.
Through YTD May 2010, imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 301,619 tons, a 46.7% increase compared to YTD May 2009. U.S. consumption was 875,555 tons through the same period, a 41.1% increase, while five-month import penetration was 34.4%, a 1.3 percentage point increase from 2009.
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.
