Steel Products
AISI Estimated Raw Steel Production & SMU & AISI Capacity Utilization Rates
Written by John Packard
January 2, 2013
The American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported their estimated raw steel production data for the week ending December 22, 2012. According to AISI estimates the U.S. steel industry produced 1,840,000 net tons of raw steel last week. This represents an increase of 0.7 percent compared to the week earlier but is 1.2 percent lower than the same week one year ago.
The AISI estimates the capacity utilization rate to be 74.5 percent. SMU estimates the true capacity utilization rate to be 79.1 percent after deducting RG Steel tonnage from the mix. As you can see the RG Steel tonnage can create quite a difference in the capacity utilization rates.
Year to date the AISI estimates total raw steel produced to be 95,400,000 net tons up 2.8 percent compared to the 92,842,000 tons produced through the same period last year. The average capacity utilization rate is estimated to be 75.7 percent so far this year up from 74.4 percent last year.
The North East district produced 183,000 net tons, up 3,000 tons from the previous week.
The Great Lakes district produced 679,000 net tons, up 20,000 tons from the previous week.
The Midwest district produced 261,000 net tons, down 4,000 tons from the previous week.
The Southern district produced 635,000 net tons, up 3,000 tons from the previous week.
The Western district produced 82,000 net tons, down 9,000 tons from the previous week.
Total production was 1,840,000 net tons, up 13,000 tons from the previous week.
We expect the data from last week to become available on Wednesday and will be published in Thursday’s issue of SMU.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products
CRU: EC to toughen steel safeguards
The European Commission proposes cutting its steel import quota by almost half, with volumes exceeding the limit facing 50% duties. The region’s steel industry welcomes the move, while other steel-producing nations fear the consequences. CRU published an insight before this announcement, noting that more restrictive trade policy could significantly raise the cost of marginal supply […]
US and Canadian rig counts stabilize
US counts continue to hover just above historic lows, while Canadian figures remain comparatively healthy.
Plate market sources critique mill hikes amid current market conditions
Following spot market plate price increase notices issued by domestic mills this past week, participants are contemplating the rationale behind the increases and whether they will stick. Some sources anticipate that current market conditions will shift in November and believe the increases may set a new "pricing floor."
Oregon Steel Mills lifts plate prices by $60/ton
Oregon Steel Mills has joined other producers in announcing a price increase of at least $60 per short ton on steel plate.
CRU: Construction of pilot plant for green steel process starts
Voestalpine and partners have begun building an industrial-scale Hy4Smelt demonstration plant in Linz, Austria, which they hope will become key in the decarbonization of steel.