Total stainless steel imports rose to 286,403 tons through the first five months of 2005 — a 19% increase compared to the same period in 2004 — according to the latest data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA).

Many stainless steel product lines experienced import increases through YTD 2005, including stainless steel sheet/strip imports, which reached 162,813 tons, a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2004. U.S. consumption was 711,851 tons, a 3% decrease, with import penetration reaching 23%, a three percentage point increase.

Stainless steel plate imports reached 30,131 tons though May, a 1% decrease compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 106,626 tons, a 14% decrease, while import penetration was 28%, a three percentage point increase.

Imports of stainless steel bar reached 53,049 tons through May, a 70% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 104,258 tons, a 29% increase, and import penetration reached 51%, a 12 percentage point increase.

Stainless steel rod imports were 21,401 tons through May, a 26% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 33,018 tons, a 7% decrease, and import penetration was 65%, a 17 percentage point increase.

Stainless steel wire imports reached 19,009 tons through May, a 10% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption and import penetration are calculated quarterly.

Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) YTD through May 2005 were 286,403 tons, a 19% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 972,096 tons, a 2% decrease, while five-month import penetration was 29%, a five percentage point increase.

Alloy tool steel imports were 50,945 tons through May, a 52% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.

Imports of electrical steel were 39,359 tons through May, a 28% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 173,224 tons, a 12% increase, and import penetration was 23%, a three percentage point increase.

Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) YTD through May 2005 were 376,707 tons, a 23% increase. U.S. consumption was 1,188,284 tons, a 2% increase, while five-month import penetration was 32%, 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 Potosm, 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.; and Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind. David A. Hartquist, an international trade attorney with the Washington, D.C. law firm Collier Shannon Scott, PLLC, serves as lead counsel to SSINA.