The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) Tuesday released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date October 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for October 2012 compared to the same January-October period in 2011.
The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:
Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in year-to-date October 2012 were 390,344 tons, a 13.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date October 2011; US consumption was 1,433,053 tons, a 7.7 percent increase; 10 month import penetration was 27.2 percent, a 1.3 percentage point increase from 2011.Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date October 2012 were 183,133 tons, a 31.8 percent increase compared to year-to-date October 2011; US consumption was 363,348 tons, a 23.4 percent increase; 10 month import penetration was 50.4 percent, a 3.2 percentage point increase from 2011.Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date October 2012 were 125,325 tons, a 5.1 percent increase compared to YTD October 2011; US consumption was 220,001 tons, a 0.7 percent increase; 10 month import penetration was 57.0 percent, a 2.4 percentage point increase from 2011.Stainless steel rod: Imports in year-to-date October 2012 were 26,638 tons, a 16.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date October 2011; US consumption was 62,767 tons, a 3.5 percent increase; 10 month import penetration was 42.4 percent, a 4.7 percentage point increase from 2011.Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date October 2012 were 41,467 tons, a 6.7 percent increase compared to year-to-date October 2011; US consumption was 50,880 tons, a 0.2 percent decrease; 10 month import penetration was 81.5 percent, a 5.2 percentage point increase from 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in year-to-date October 2012 were 766,907 tons, a 15.4 percent increase compared to year-to-date October 2011; US consumption was 2,130,049 tons, a 8.9 percent increase; 10 month import penetration was 36 percent, a 2 percentage point increase from 2011.
Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date October 2012 were 109,292 tons, a 19.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date October 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date October 2012 were 99,919 tons, a 4.9 percent increase compared to YTD October 2011; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in year-to-date October 2012 were 976,118 tons, a 14.7 percent increase compared to year-to-date October 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.