Steel Products
AISI Estimated Raw Steel Production & SMU & AISI Capacity Utilization Rates
Written by John Packard
January 2, 2013
The American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported their estimated raw steel production data for the week ending December 22, 2012. According to AISI estimates the U.S. steel industry produced 1,840,000 net tons of raw steel last week. This represents an increase of 0.7 percent compared to the week earlier but is 1.2 percent lower than the same week one year ago.
The AISI estimates the capacity utilization rate to be 74.5 percent. SMU estimates the true capacity utilization rate to be 79.1 percent after deducting RG Steel tonnage from the mix. As you can see the RG Steel tonnage can create quite a difference in the capacity utilization rates.
Year to date the AISI estimates total raw steel produced to be 95,400,000 net tons up 2.8 percent compared to the 92,842,000 tons produced through the same period last year. The average capacity utilization rate is estimated to be 75.7 percent so far this year up from 74.4 percent last year.
The North East district produced 183,000 net tons, up 3,000 tons from the previous week.
The Great Lakes district produced 679,000 net tons, up 20,000 tons from the previous week.
The Midwest district produced 261,000 net tons, down 4,000 tons from the previous week.
The Southern district produced 635,000 net tons, up 3,000 tons from the previous week.
The Western district produced 82,000 net tons, down 9,000 tons from the previous week.
Total production was 1,840,000 net tons, up 13,000 tons from the previous week.
We expect the data from last week to become available on Wednesday and will be published in Thursday’s issue of SMU.
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Steel Products
US HR prices surge above offshore tags
Hot-rolled (HR) coil prices leaped in the US this week, while tags abroad saw more measured gains. The result: US hot band prices have become even more expensive than imports on a landed basis. In fact, the premium US HR prices carry over HR prices abroad now stands at a 12-month high.
US rig counts inch up again, Canadian activity slips
The latest oil and gas rig count in the US increased slightly from last week, while Canadian activity edged lower, according to Baker Hughes.
SMU flat-rolled market survey results now available
SMU’s latest steel buyers market survey results are now available on our website to all premium members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the pricing and analysis tab and look under the “survey results” section for “latest survey results.” Past survey results are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the survey results, or if […]
CRU: Rising protectionism impacts global steel trade
US sheet prices surge following tariff announcement
SMU Community Chat replay now available
The latest SMU Community Chat webinar reply is now available on our website to all members. After logging in at steelmarketupdate.com, visit the community tab and look under the “previous webinars” section of the dropdown menu. All past Community Chat webinars are also available under that selection. If you need help accessing the webinar replay, or if your company […]