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    Analysis

    September 14, 2026

    AISI: US raw steel output climbs as capability utilization hits multi-year high

    Written by Ethan Bernard

    Total US raw steel mill production increased last week as the capability utilization rate climbed back over 80% to a rate not seen since 2022, according to the latest figures published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).

    Domestic production was estimated at 1,900,000 short tons (st) for the week ending Sept. 12, with the capability utilization rate at 82.3%. That’s up 5.1% from 1,808,000 st a week earlier when capability utilization stood at 78.3% (Figure 1). This is the highest rate since the end of May 2022, when it was 82.4%.

    Ethan Bernard

    Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.

    Read more from Ethan Bernard

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