Steel Products Prices North America

AISI Estimated Raw Steel Production & Capacity Utilization Rates

Written by Brett Linton

September 3, 2013

For the week ending August 31, 2013, the American Iron & Steel Institute (AISI) reported that the U.S. steel industry produced 1,856,000 net tons of raw steel, a 0.3 percent decrease over the previous week and a 2.2 decrease over the same week one year ago. The estimated capacity utilization rate is 77.5 percent, down from 77.7 percent last week but up from 76.3 percent last year.

Estimated total raw steel produced for 2013 YTD is reported to be 64,709,000 NT, down 4.3 percent from the 67,639,000 NT produced through the same period in 2012. The average capacity utilization rate for 2013 YTD is estimated to be 77.2 percent, down from 77.8 percent for 2012 YTD. SMU advises our readers that since last year’s comparison is against different tonnage capacity, you are better served to compare tonnage production as done in the graphic provided above.

Week-over-week changes per district are as follows: North East at 199,000 net tons, down 14,000 tons. Great Lakes at 628,000 NT, up 24,000 tons. Midwest at 234,000 NT, down 10,000 tons. South at 705,000 NT, down 2,000 tons. West at 90,000 NT, down 3,000 tons. Total production was 1,856,000 NT, down 5,000 tons.

Brett Linton

Brett Linton is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update, where he began his career. Linton has been in the steel industry since 2010. He has held roles as a category manager and strategic insights director at Reibus before returning to SMU in 2024. He is a graduate of The University of North Georgia with a degree in Finance and Accounting. Brett can be reached at brett@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-314-0179.

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