Average Mill Utilization Back Up to 85.0%

Weekly raw steel production by U.S. mills edged back up after successive decreases the past two weeks. The average utilization rate was 85.0% while production was 1,877,000 net tons in the week ending Aug. 21, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

The slight increase in domestic production edged utilization back up to 85.0% as U.S. mills continue to produce steel at near capacity. Weekly output rose 0.4% compared to the week prior when production was 1,869,000 net tons and average utilization was 84.7%. Last week’s production total represents a 27.2% increase from year-ago levels, when output was reduced to 1,476,000 net tons and utilization to 65.9% because of 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.

David Schollaert

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