Steel Products
AISI Estimated Raw Steel Production & Capacity Utilization Rates
Written by John Packard
January 30, 2013
The American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported their estimated raw steel production data for the week ending January 26, 2013. According to AISI estimates the U.S. steel industry produced 1,806,000 net tons of raw steel last week. This represents a decrease of 1.0 percent compared to the week earlier and is 5.8 percent lower than the same week one year ago.
The AISI estimates the capacity utilization rate to be 75.4 percent. SMU reminds our readers the AISI has made an adjustment to the domestic capabilities for 1st Quarter 2013. The new quarterly capability is 30.8 million tons. The 1Q 2012 capability number according to the AISI was 32.3 million tons and that number was adjusted to 32.7 million tons for 4Q 2012 with the addition of the new Severstal Columbus EAF.
Year to date the AISI estimates total raw steel produced to be 7,205,000 net tons, down 5.9 percent compared to the 7,657,000 tons produced through the same period last year. The average capacity utilization rate is estimated to be 75.0 percent so far this year, down from 77.6 percent last year – although last year comparison is against different tonnage and you are better served to compare tonnage production which we have done in the graphic provided above.
The North East district produced 196,000 net tons, up 6,000 tons from the previous week.
The Great Lakes district produced 652,000 net tons, down 15,000 tons from the previous week.
The Midwest district produced 262,000 net tons, down 1,000 tons from the previous week.
The Southern district produced 610,000 net tons, down 7,000 tons from the previous week.
The Western district produced 86,000 net tons, down 1,000 tons from the previous week.
Total production was 1,806,000 net tons, down 18,000 tons from the previous week.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products
Market says cutting interest rates will spur stalled domestic plate demand
Market sources say demand for domestic plate refuses to budge despite stagnating prices.
U.S. Steel to halt slab conversion at Granite City Works
U.S. Steel said it plans to reduce slab consumption at its Granite City Works near St. Louis, a company spokesperson said on Monday. The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker will shift the production and processing of steel slabs to its Mon Valley Works near Pittsburgh and its Gary Works near Chicago. Citing a United Steelworkers (USW) union memo, […]
SMU Week in Review: September 1-5
Here are highlights of what’s happened this past week and a few upcoming things to keep an eye on.
HR Futures: Market finds footing on supply-side mechanics
As Labor Day marks the transition into fall, the steel market enters September with a similar sense of change. Supply-side fundamentals are beginning to show signs of restraint: imports are limited, outages loom, and production is capped, setting the stage for a market that feels steady on the surface but still unsettled underneath.
Beige Book: US markets remain cautious amidst volatile pricing environment
Sluggish economic activity across the US was largely attributed to uncertainty caused by tariff policies and growing cost pressures, according to the US Federal Reserve’s (The Fed) latest Beige Book report. The Fed’s latest economic report, posted on Sept. 3, consists of economic findings from the six weeks preceding Aug. 25 throughout 12 districts. Economic […]