Steel Markets
Weekly Raw Steel Output Edges Up: AISI
Written by Becca Moczygemba
January 17, 2023
Raw steel production by US mills rebounded last week for the first time in five weeks as capacity utilization rose to just 71.7%, according to data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
The increase came driven by increases in tons in the Great Lakes, Midwest, and South.
Domestic mills produced 1,602,000 net tons in the week ending Jan. 14, up 0.4%, or 7,000 tons, from the previous week, and down 7.7% from 1,735,000 tons in the same week last year.
US mills ran at a capacity utilization rate of 71.7% last week, up from 71.3% the week prior, and down from 79.8% a year ago.
Adjusted year-to-date (ytd) production through Jan. 14 was at 3,197,000 tons, with ytd capacity utilization at 71.5%. That’s 7.9% below 3,471,000 tons ytd in early January 2022, when ytd capacity utilization was 79.8%, AISI said.
Production by region for the week ending Jan. 14 is below. (Note: week-over-week change is in parentheses.)
- Northeast, 124,000 tons (down 4,000 tons)
- Great Lakes, 546,000 tons (up 5,000 tons)
- Midwest, 205,000 tons (up 5,000 tons)
- South, 657,000 tons (up 3,000 tons)
- West, 70,000 tons (down, 2,000 tons)
Note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage provided by approximately 50% of the domestic production capacity combined with the most recent monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The AISI production report “AIS 7,” published monthly and available by subscription, provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75% of US production capacity.
By Becca Moczygemba, Becca@SteelMarketUpdate.com

Becca Moczygemba
Read more from Becca MoczygembaLatest in Steel Markets

AISI: Raw steel production bounces back
Domestic mill production rebounded last week, according to the latest production figures released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Production had been historically strong over the summer months before softening in early October.

US sets Section 232 tariffs on trucks and buses
Medium- and heavy-duty trucks (MHDV) and buses imported to the US will start being charged Section 232 tariffs beginning Nov. 1.

Hot-rolled sources say demand continues to dwindle, prices feel arbitrary
Genuine demand, they stated, will return when the market feels stable again.

FabArc Steel Supply completes projects in Mississippi, Georgia
FabArc Steel Supply announced this week the completion of two large-scale projects in Georgia and Mississippi.

Thin demand keeps plate prices hovering at lowest levels since February
Participants in the domestic plate market say spot prices appear to have hit the floor, and they continue to linger there. They say demand for steel remains thin, with plate products no exception.