Steel Mills
AISI: Weekly raw steel output ticks higher
Written by Brett Linton
February 4, 2025
The volume of raw steel produced by US mills increased slightly last week, according to American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Last week’s production rate was the second-highest level so far this year.
Steel mill output was estimated to be 1,656,000 short tons (st) during the week ending Feb. 1 (Figure 1). Production rose by 15,000 tons or 0.9% from the prior week.
Weekly production was 0.5% higher than the year-to-date average of 1,647,000 st per week. Compared to the same week a year ago, weekly production is 0.8% higher this year.
Last week’s mill capability utilization rate was 74.4%, slightly above both the previous week (73.7%) and the same week last year (73.9%).
Year-to-date production now totals 7,534,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.0%. This is 1.0% higher than the same period of last year when 7,461,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 73.3%.
Weekly regional production data and week-over-week (w/w) changes are as follows:
- Northeast – 118,000 st (down 5,000 st w/w)
- Great Lakes – 503,000 st (down 2,000 st)
- Midwest – 233,000 st (down 12,000 st)
- South – 745,000 st (up 42,000 st)
- West – 57,000 st (down 8,000 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 graphic included in this report shows unadjusted weekly data. The monthly “AIS 7” report is available by subscription from AISI and can provide a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Mills
USS, Nippon Steel quiet as litigation deadline approaches
There has been little word from U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel, or the White House since President Trump endorsed the companies’ “partnership” on social media and celebrated it at the May 30 rally outside Pittsburgh.
AISI: April mill shipments fall, sheet down YTD
US steel mills saw a decline in shipments from March to April.
Hybar rolls first rebar, ramping up Arkansas mill commissioning
The startup steelmaker produced its first rebar at its greenfield steel mill in Osceola, Ark., marking a key milestone by completing construction in 22 months.
Goncalves: Despite higher tariffs, two Cliffs mills to remain idled
Cleveland-Cliffs Chairman, President, and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said he would keep one mill idled and still plans to idle another despite increased protections from Section 232 tariffs doubling to 50%.
Trump says Section 232 tariff on steel, aluminum to double to 50% at Pennsylvania rally celebrating Nippon-USS deal
At a rally celebrating a “planned partnership” between U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel, President Trump announced higher tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the United States, and revealed few more details on Nippon’s investment in USS’ operations.