Steel Products Prices North America

Steel Production, Mill Utilization Up from Last Year

August 15, 2017

Domestic raw steel production totaled 1,780,000 net tons in the week ending Aug. 12, up 1.0 percent from the previous week and a 7.6 percent increase from the same period in 2016. The mill capability utilization rate was 76.4 percent for the week, up from 70.8 percent the same time last year, reports the American Iron and Steel Institute in Washington.

The last time the capability utilization rate was this high was the week ending Jan. 10, 2015, when 1,899,000 tons were produced at a rate of 79.0 percent. The last time raw production was this high was the week ending March 11, 2017, when 1,791,000 tons were produced at a rate of 75.6 percent.

Adjusted year-to-date production through Aug. 12 totaled 55,650,000 net tons, up 2.9 percent from last year. The capability utilization rate for the year averaged 74.6 percent, up from 72.2 percent in 2016.

Following is the Aug. 12 week’s production by district: North East 211,000 net tons; Great Lakes, 678,000 net tons; Midwest, 166,000 net tons; South, 650,000 net tons; and West, 75,000 net tons, for a total of 1,780,000.

The raw steel production tonnage in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage provided from 50 percent of the domestic producers combined with monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The monthly AISI production report provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75 percent of U.S. production capacity.

Mill capability for third-quarter 2017 is approximately 30.6 million tons, compared to 30.7 million tons for the same period last year and 30.3 million tons for the second quarter.

Below is a graph showing the history of weekly raw steel production. You will need to view the graph on our website to use its interactive features, you can do so by clicking here. If you need assistance logging into or navigating the website, please contact our office at 800-432-3475 or info@SteelMarketUpdate.com.