Product
AISI Estimated Raw Steel Production & Capacity Utilization Rates
Written by John Packard
February 20, 2013
The American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported their estimated raw steel production data for the week ending February 16, 2013. According to AISI estimates the U.S. steel industry produced 1,814,000 net tons of raw steel last week. This represents a decrease of 0.4 percent compared to the week earlier and is 9.6 percent lower than the same week one year ago.
The AISI estimates the capacity utilization rate to be 75.7 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 12,642,000 net tons, down 7.1 percent compared to the 13,615,000 tons produced through the same period last year. The average capacity utilization rate is estimated to be 75.3 percent so far this year, down from 79.1 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 192,000 net tons, down 2,000 tons from the previous week.
The Great Lakes district produced 659,000 net tons, up 17,000 tons from the previous week.
The Midwest district produced 259,000 net tons, down 1,000 tons from the previous week.
The Southern district produced 622,000 net tons, down 17,000 tons from the previous week.
The Western district produced 82,000 net tons, down 5,000 tons from the previous week.
Total production was 1,814,000 net tons, down 8,000 tons from the previous week.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Product
Brazil pig iron market activity picks up
The pig iron market in Brazil saw some activity last week that could present some additional options to producers there, but at lower price levels.
Nucor targets ‘white hot’ data center boom
With infrastructure demand shifting toward digital capacity, Nucor Corp. is positioning itself as the go-to steel supplier for the data center boom.
Drilling activity slows at October’s end in US and Canada
The latest Baker Hughes rig count report showed oil and gas drilling slowing in both the US and Canada last week.
Key takeaways from CRU’s US Ferroalloys Connections Summit
CRU analysts break down their top takeaways from CRU's 31st Annual Ferroalloys Connections Summit, held Oct. 19-21 in Miami.
SMU Survey: Mills less negotiable on spot prices
Most steel buyers responding to our market survey this week reported that domestic mills are considerably less willing to talk price on sheet and plate products than they were in recent weeks.