(Washington, D.C., March 18, 2013) – The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (“SSINA”) has released statistical data on imports, U.S. consumption, and import penetration for YTD December 2012. The data represents U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for December 2012 compared to the same 2011 twelve month period.
The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:
Ø Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 452,475 tons, a 15.3% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption was 1,700,822 tons, a 7.9% increase; twelve month import penetration was 26.6%, a 1.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
Ø Stainless steel plate: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 203,026 tons, a 16.8% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption was 412,431 tons, a 11.6% increase; twelve month import penetration was 49.2%, an 2.2 percentage point increase from 2011.
Ø Stainless steel bar: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 146,097 tons, a 2.4% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption was 256,888 tons, a 0.8% decrease; twelve month import penetration was 56.9%, a 1.8 percentage point increase from 2011.
Ø Stainless steel rod: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 29,950 tons, a 8.3% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption was 71,095 tons, a 1.4% decrease; twelve month import penetration was 42.1%, a 3.8 percentage point increase from 2011.
Ø Stainless steel wire: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 48,332 tons, a 4.1% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption was 59,864 tons, a 2.1% decrease; twelve month import penetration was 80.7%, a 4.8 percentage point increase from 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD December 2012 were 879,879 tons, a 12.4% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption was 2,501,101 tons, a 7.0% increase; twelve month import penetration was 35.2%, a 1.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
Ø Alloy tool steel: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 124,742 tons, a 11.2% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Ø Electrical steel: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 118,635 tons, a 4.3% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in YTD December 2012 were 1,123,255 tons, a 11.4% increase compared to YTD December 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
About Specialty Steel Industry of North America
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers, which include high technology, high value stainless and other specialty alloy products.
SSINA member companies include: ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, PA and ATI Allvac, Monroe, NC (both Allegheny Technologies companies); Carpenter Technology Corporation, Reading, PA; Crucible Industries, Solvay, NY; Electralloy, Oil City, PA; North American Stainless, Ghent, KY; Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, IL; Latrobe Specialty Steel Company, Latrobe, PA; Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, PA; and Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, IN.