Steel Mills
US Steel Blames Imports for Temp Idling of Gary Works Tin Line
Written by Michael Cowden
September 6, 2022
US Steel has temporarily idled the No. 5 tin line at its Gary Works in northwest Indiana.
The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker indicated that the move was necessary because of weaker demand and increased import volumes.
“The company’s other tin operations continue to operate in line with customer demand. We expect to bring number 5 tin line back online when market conditions allow,” a company spokeswoman said in an email to Steel Market Update on Tuesday, Sept. 6.
There were no job losses stemming from the idling because employees impacted by it were moved to other areas of Gary Works, she added.
Gary Works is US Steel’s largest steelmaking complex. It has raw steel capacity of 7.5 million tons per year. The plant makes hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated sheet – including tin mill products.
Tin products are used the food and beverage container industry as well as in aerosol cans and in paint cans and pails, according to the company’s website.
As for imports, the US brought in 797,351.6 metric tons of tin plate in 2021, up 14.3% from 697,327.4 tons in 2020 and up 16.5% from 685,791.5 tons in 2019, according to Commerce Department figures.
Imported tin mill products now account for more than 60% of estimated domestic market consumption, the US Steel spokeswoman said.
“This temporary idling at Gary is proof that increases in imported steel remain a very real threat to the livelihoods of the workforce at American steel producers,” she added.
By Michael Cowden, Michael@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Michael Cowden
Read more from Michael CowdenLatest in Steel Mills
Mexico’s TYASA breaks ground on SBQ rolling mill
Mexican steelmaker Talleres y Aceros (TYASA) broke ground this month on the construction of a new special bar quality (SBQ) rolling mill in the state of Veracruz.
Goncalves sees more US trade actions ahead, says Nippon deal for USS has ‘zero chance’
Cleveland-Cliffs’ Lourenco Goncalves thinks trade measures announced by the US government on Tuesday against China were just the opening salvo in a series of trade actions. Case in point: The Biden administration targeted China’s “unfair” trade policies with additional tariffs on an array of Chinese-made goods - including steel, aluminum, and EVs.
Nucor holds weekly HRC price steady after last week’s cut
Nucor chose to hold its consumer spot price (CSP) for hot-rolled (HR) coil steady this week after stunning the market last week with a significant price decline. The steelmaker said in a letter to customers on Monday morning that its $760-per-short-ton (st) CSP base price for HR coil is effective immediately. The price is unchanged from the CSP announced on May 6 but down $65/st from $825/st April 29.
Nucor’s Jellison set to retire, Spicer tapped for EVP role
Nucor said EVP Douglas J. Jellison plans to retire on June 8 after more than 33 years with the company. Randy J. Spicer will be promoted to EVP effective May 12.
Republican Senators demand Biden block USS sale to Nippon
Three vocal Republican senators are demanding that President Joe Biden block the sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel.