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    July 13, 2021

    AISI: Mill Utilization at Highest in More Than a Decade

    Written by David Schollaert

    U.S. mills produced steel at an average utilization rate of 83.6% last week, the highest rate in more than a decade as they scramble to keep up with the strong demand in today’s economy. Raw steel production by U.S. mills totaled 1,852,000 net tons in the week ending July 10, up 0.5% compared with the week prior. Mill capacity utilization rose 0.6% week on week, reported the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). 

    Last week’s output represents a 37.2% increase from year-ago levels, when production was 1,350,000 net tons and utilization was 60.3% as steel demand was still impacted by the pandemic.

    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.

    Read more from David Schollaert

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