Total stainless steel imports grew to 399,708 tons through July 2005, a 13% increase* compared to the first seven months of 2004, according to the latest statistical data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). As imports continued to climb, U.S. stainless steel consumption dropped slightly to 1,361,595 tons, a 4% decreased compared to the comparable 2004 period.

Over the first seven months, total specialty steel imports (including stainless, alloy tool and electrical steels) grew to 526,003 tons, a 17% increase compared to the comparable 2004 period. Consumption of total specialty steels shrunk slightly to 1,660,937 tons over the same period, a 1% decrease compared to the comparable 2004 period.

Stainless steel sheet/strip imports were 220,665 tons through the first seven months of 2005, a 2% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 969,870 tons, a 5% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration grew to 23%, a two percentage point increase.

Stainless steel plate imports were 47,551 tons through the first seven months of 2005, a 9% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 154,678 tons over the same period, a 12% decrease compared to YTD 2004. Import penetration grew to 31%, a six percentage point increase.

Stainless steel bar imports were 76,899 tons through July 2005, a 72% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 146,836 tons over the same period, a 27% increase compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was 52%, a 13 percentage point increase.

Stainless steel rod imports were 28,108 tons through the first seven months of 2005, a 12% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 43,389 tons through the period, a 15% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration grew to 65%, a 16 percentage point increase.

Stainless steel wire imports were 26,485 tons through July 2005, a 10% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 46,821 tons over the period, a 6% decrease compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration was 57%, a nine percentage point increase.

Year-to-date imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) were 399,708 tons through July 2005, a 13% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 1,361,595 tons over the same period, a 4% decrease compared to YTD 2004. Seven-month import penetration was 29%, a four percentage point increase compared to YTD 2004.

Alloy tool steel imports were 71,969 tons through July 2005, a 43% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption and import penetration are not calculable.

Electrical steel imports were 54,326 tons through the first seven months of 2005, a 19% increase. U.S. consumption was 238,915 tons over the same period, an 8% increase compared to YTD 2004, while import penetration grew to 23%, a two percentage point increase.

Year-to-date imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) were 526,003 tons through July 2005, a 17% increase compared to YTD 2004. U.S. consumption was 1,660,937 tons over the same period, a 1% decrease compared to YTD 2004. Seven month import penetration was 32%, a five percentage point increase compared to YTD 2004.

* Comparisons refer to the same 2004 seven-month period.

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

• 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, D.C., law firm Collier Shannon Scott, PLLC, serves as lead counsel to SSINA.