Jan. 6, 2006 — Total stainless steel imports into the U.S. grew to 565,146 tons through October 2005, a 5% increases compared to the first ten months of 2004, according to the latest data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). As imports continued to climb, U.S. stainless steel consumption dropped slightly to 1,905,430 tons, a 7% decrease compared to the first ten months of 2004.

Over the first ten months, total specialty steel imports (including stainless, alloy tool and electrical steels) grew to 737,128 tons, an 8% increase compared to the comparable 2004 period. Consumption of total specialty steels shrunk slightly to 2,326,438 tons over the same period, a 4% decrease compared to the comparable 2004 period.

Specific product lines experienced both increases and decreases over the first ten months of 2005 compared to the comparable 2004 period.

Stainless steel sheet/strip imports were 316,465 tons through October 2005, reflecting a 7% decrease compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 1,366,269 tons, a 9% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was unchanged at 23%.

Stainless steel plate imports were 70,300 tons through October 2005, reflecting a 22% increase compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 214,546 tons, an 11% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was 33%, a nine percentage point increase over the same period.

Stainless steel bar imports were 105,259 tons through October 2005, reflecting a 58% increase compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 202,286 tons, a 21% increase compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was 52%, a twelve percentage point increase over the same period.

Stainless steel rod imports were 36,257 tons through October 2005, reflecting a 5% decrease compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 58,257 tons, a 2% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was 62%, a two percentage point decrease over the same period.

Stainless steel wire imports were 36,866 tons through October 2005, reflecting a 7% increase compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 64,072 tons, an 8% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was 58%, a nine percentage point increase over the same period.

YTD imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) through October 2005 were 565,146 tons, reflecting a 5% increase compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 1,905,430 tons, a 7% decrease compared to YTD 2004, and ten-month import penetration was 30%, a four percentage point increase.

Alloy tool steel imports were 101,607 tons through October 2005, reflecting a 35% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.

Electrical steel imports were 70,375 tons through October 2005, reflecting a 1% increase compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 336,744 tons, a 5% increase compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was 21%, a one percentage point decrease.

YTD imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) through October 2005 were 737,128 tons, reflecting an 8% increase compared to YTD 2004. YTD 2005 U.S. consumption was 2,326,438 tons, a 4% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while ten-month import penetration was 32%, a four percentage point increase.

SSINA is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing 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, S.L.P., 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.