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    March 1, 2021

    Mill Utilization Inches Up for Fourth Week in a Row

    Written by David Schollaert

    U.S. raw steel production saw a small increase for the fourth consecutive week as domestic mills strive to meet robust demand. Weekly steel production by U.S. mills totaled 1,755,000 tons in the week ending March 6, up 0.3% from the week prior when production was 1,749,000 tons. The mill utilization rate last week averaged 77.4%, up from 77.2% the week before, yet down 0.3% from the same period last year when production totaled 1,761,000 net tons.

    Adjusted year-to-date production through March 6 was 16,112,000 net tons, at an average utilization rate of 76.6%. That’s down 7.6% from the same period last year then the utilization rate was 81.5% and production was 17,435,000 net tons, AISI said.

    David Schollaert

    David Schollaert is deputy editor-in-chief for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. He can be contacted at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

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