Features

AISI: Raw steel production edges lower, remains weak
Written by Brett Linton
December 16, 2024
US raw steel mill production eased last week, according to the most recent data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Domestic production remains significantly low compared to levels recorded earlier in the year.
Total raw output was estimated at 1,651,000 short tons (st) through the week ending Dec. 14. Production declined by 17,000 st, or 1.0%, from the previous week, when raw output had risen to an 11-week high. Recall that in early October production touched a 20-month low of 1,606,000 st (Figure 1).

Total mill output last week was 3.0% lower than the year-to-date (YTD) weekly average of 1,703,000 st. Production is down 3.2% compared to the same week one year prior when output totaled 1,705,000 st.
The mill capability utilization rate last week was 74.3%. This is down from the previous week (75.1%) and down from this time last year (74.2%).
YTD production now totals 83,836,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 75.7%. This is down 2.3% from the same time frame last year when 85,832,000 st was produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.0%.
Weekly production by region is as follows (weekly changes shown in parentheses):
- Northeast – 126,000 st (up 6,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 557,000 st (up 4,000 st)
- Midwest – 225,000 st (down 9,000 st)
- South – 682,000 st (down 20,000 st).
- West – 61,000 st (up 2,000 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
 
		                                Final Thoughts
Sometimes an entire news cycle happens in one week.
 
		                                Galvalume co-inventor Angelo Borzillo passes away
Angelo “Ange” Borzillo has passed away at the age of 92. He leaves behind a legacy that will endure as long as the steel he helped develop: Galvalume sheet steel.
 
		                                Saving US pig iron: NEMO Industries CEO Daniel Liss talks bringing back domestic production
NEMO Industries CEO talks cost and reasoning behind a $3-billion pig iron project in Louisiana.
 
		                                Price on Trade: The foolishness of free trade with controlled economies
It was only a matter of time before a shutdown happened. And, no, we aren’t talking about the federal government’s lapse in appropriations. On Oct. 9, Beijing announced a series of restrictions that will effectively shut down exports of rare earth elements, magnets, and certain downstream products vital to advanced manufacturing.
 
		                                Trump pulls plug on trade talks with Canada after anti-tariff Reagan ad
US President Donald Trump took to social media late Thursday night to announce he was canceling trade talks with Canada.
