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    September 28, 2021

    Mill Utilization Edges Back Up Above 85%

    Written by David Schollaert

    Domestic raw steel production crept up in the week ending Sept. 25, recovering from the slight dip the week prior and landing just under the pandemic-era high seen earlier in the month. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), production by U.S. mills was estimated at 1,880,000 net tons while the average utilization rate was 85.2%.

    Weekly output rose by 0.3% compared to the week prior when production was 1,874,000 net tons and average utilization was 84.9%. Last week’s production total represents a 22.3% increase from year-ago levels, when output was 1,537,000 net tons and utilization was just 68.6% due to disruptions from COVID-19.

    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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