Steel Products
Apparent Steel Supply – December and Calendar Year 2012
Written by John Packard
February 13, 2013
Apparent steel supply for the month of December 2012 came in at 8,317,920 net tons. This represents a decrease of almost 2 percent compared to the previous December. We found imports rose by 19 percent (semi-finished – which are brought in by the domestic mills – rose by 39 percent) while exports dropped by 19 percent. Domestic shipments dropped and finished imports increased. The U.S. dependence on imports grew by 73 percent compared to one year earlier.
Apparent Steel Supply 2012 vs. 2011:
Apparent steel supply grew by 7,818,000 tons during 2012. The domestic industry saw gains in domestic shipments of 4,084,000 tons. Semi-finished imports increased by 934,000 tons while finished imports rose by 4,026,000 tons. Exports also gained slightly over the prior year by 291,000 tons.

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.