Steel Mills
AISI: Raw steel production slipped last week
Written by Brett Linton
March 24, 2025
Raw steel mill output declined last week for the second consecutive week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). While down, production remains in line with the average rates recorded across 2025 to date.
Domestic steel mill production was estimated at 1,654,000 short tons (st) in the week ending March 22 (Figure 1). Production declined by 13,000 tons, or 0.8%, week over week (w/w).
Last week’s production was 0.1% below the year-to-date average of 1,656,000 st per week. Compared to this time last year, production this week is down 2.5%.
The latest mill capability utilization rate slipped to 74.3% from 74.9% the previous week. This time last year it was 76.4%.
Year-to-date production now stands at 19,171,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 74.4%. This is 1.4% less than the same period of 2024, when 19,447,000 st had been produced at a rate of 75.8%.
Raw production increased this week in three of the five regions, as reported by AISI:
- Northeast – 123,000 st (up 3,000 st w/w)
- Great Lakes – 488,000 st (up 13,000 st)
- Midwest – 224,000 st (down 16,000 st)
- South – 745,000 st (down 26,000 st)
- West – 74,000 st (up 13,000 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 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 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.