Features
AISI: Raw steel production slips for second week
Written by Brett Linton
August 5, 2024
Domestic steel mill output eased last week for the second consecutive week, according to the latest release by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Although production has declined, it remains relatively on the high side compared to rates seen across this year.
Total raw steel mill output was estimated at 1,722,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Aug. 3. This is down 7,000 st or 0.4% from the week prior. Raw production last week was 0.3% higher than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,716,000 st. Production is up 0.6% from the same week one year ago when output totaled 1,712,000 st.
The mill capability utilization rate for last week was 77.5%. This is lower than the week prior (77.9%) but higher than this time last year (75.3%).
Year-to-date production stands at 52,421,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 76.5%. This is down 2.2% vs. the same time frame last year, when 53,592,000 st were produced at a capability utilization rate of 77.3%.
Weekly production by region is detailed below, with the weekly changes noted in parentheses:
- Northeast – 130,000 st (down 1,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 582,000 st (up 11,000 st)
- Midwest – 211,000 st (down 6,000 st)
- South – 733,000 st (down 8,000 st)
- West – 66,000 st (down 3,000 st)
Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated and should be used primarily to assess production trends. The monthly AISI “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and provides a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Features
From integrated mills to EAFs, Dan Brown’s career has spanned changes in the steel industry
Brown's career began at the historic integrated U.S. Steel mills near Pittsburgh. He now helps lead the Big River Steel EAFs in Arkansas.
SMU Community Chat: Tariffs disrupt US ‘business as usual’
Reporting and enforcing steel tariffs are two top–of-mind concerns for US manufacturers, the US Customs and Border Protection agency, importers, and others across the supply chain.
July service center shipments and inventories report
In July, US service centers’ flat-rolled steel supply increased month on month, following the seasonal summer trend of inventory build with slowing shipments.
Final Thoughts
We're getting ready to initiate the 10-day countdown until Steel Summit 2025 in Atlanta. Liftoff is on Aug. 25, and the conference goes through Aug. 27. With the speed at which things have moved this year, it will be great to take a breath and reflect on what's happened so far.
Steel market chatter this week
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, SMU polled steel buyers on an array of topics, ranging from market prices, demand, and inventories to tariffs, imports, and evolving market events.