Steel Products
Raw Steel Utilization Reaches 75.4%: AISI
Written by David Schollaert
March 20, 2023
Raw steel production by US mills rose 0.5% last week from the week prior, according to data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) on Monday, March 20.
Domestic production stood at 1,686,000 net tons in the week ended March 18 vs. 1,677,000 net tons the previous week. It was off 1.4% from 1,710,000 net tons in the same week last year.
The capability utilization rate was 75.4% last week, up from 75% a week earlier and pushing past the 75% mark for the first time since the week of Oct. 8, 2022. Capability utilization was still down from 78.7% in the same week last year.
AISI said that adjusted year-to-date production through March 18 was 18,199,000 net tons at a capability utilization rate of 74%. This is down 4.7% from the 19,104,000 net tons produced during the same period last year, when the capability utilization rate stood at 79.7%.
Production by region for the week ending March 11 is below. (Note: week-over-week change is in parentheses.)
- Northeast, 149,000 tons (up 1,000 tons)
- Great Lakes, 557,000 tons (up 10,000 tons)
- Midwest, 207,000 tons (down 3,000 tons)
- South, 713,000 tons (up 9,000 tons)
- West, 60,000 tons (down 8,000 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 David Schollaert, david@steelmarketupdate.com
David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Steel Products
Rig count: US, Canada counts edge up as weather cools down
Active rotary rigs in the US and Canada are up for the second consecutive week, according to Baker Hughes.
Heating and cooling equipment shipments fall with season change in October
October saw domestic heating and cooling equipment shipments drop for a second consecutive month, according to the latest data released from the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
CRU: More aluminum producers prioritize decarbonization: Industry shift towards sustainability
The LME Aluminum 3-month price is moving up again on the morning of Dec. 8 and was last seen trading at $2,157 per metric ton. The way the price increased first thing in the morning suggests a support may have finally been found, but resistance could hit quickly at $2,200 /metric ton. SHFE cash was […]
SMU survey: Direction of mill lead times mixed on holiday season lull
Movements in lead times were mixed in SMU’s check of the market this week – a reflection of the seasonal dip in ordering that is typically seen during the winter holiday season.
Steel shipments bounce back in October
American steel mills sent out more tons of steel in October than the previous month, according to the latest monthly data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Domestic mills shipped 7,346,373 net tons in October, up 1.3% from the 7,252,942 tons sent out in September. Shipments were also up 1.9% compared to the […]