AISI: Raw Steel Output Rises Modestly

Domestic mill capability utilization rate was 75.5% last week, up from 75.2% the previous week. Utilization was down year over year from 78.1% from the same period one year prior. 

The adjusted year-to-date production through July 15 was 47,621,000 tons at a capability utilization rate of 75.8%. That is down 2.7% from 48,920,000 tons from the same period one year ago when the capability utilization rate stood at 80%, AISI said.

Production by region for the week ending July 15 is below. (Note: week-over-week changes are in parentheses.)

• Northeast – 129,000 tons (down 6,000 tons)
• Great Lakes – 535,000 tons (down 18,000 tons)
• Midwest – 214,000 tons (up 6,000 tons)
• South – 768,000 tons (up 18,000 tons)
• West – 70,000 tons (up 5,000 tons)

Note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnages 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