Steel Markets
Weekly Raw Steel Output Edges Up: AISI
Written by Becca Moczygemba
January 17, 2023
Raw steel production by US mills rebounded last week for the first time in five weeks as capacity utilization rose to just 71.7%, according to data released by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
The increase came driven by increases in tons in the Great Lakes, Midwest, and South.
Domestic mills produced 1,602,000 net tons in the week ending Jan. 14, up 0.4%, or 7,000 tons, from the previous week, and down 7.7% from 1,735,000 tons in the same week last year.
US mills ran at a capacity utilization rate of 71.7% last week, up from 71.3% the week prior, and down from 79.8% a year ago.
Adjusted year-to-date (ytd) production through Jan. 14 was at 3,197,000 tons, with ytd capacity utilization at 71.5%. That’s 7.9% below 3,471,000 tons ytd in early January 2022, when ytd capacity utilization was 79.8%, AISI said.
Production by region for the week ending Jan. 14 is below. (Note: week-over-week change is in parentheses.)
- Northeast, 124,000 tons (down 4,000 tons)
- Great Lakes, 546,000 tons (up 5,000 tons)
- Midwest, 205,000 tons (up 5,000 tons)
- South, 657,000 tons (up 3,000 tons)
- West, 70,000 tons (down, 2,000 tons)
Note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated. The figures are compiled from weekly production tonnage provided by approximately 50% of the domestic production capacity combined with the most recent monthly production data for the remainder. Therefore, this report should be used primarily to assess production trends. The AISI production report “AIS 7,” published monthly and available by subscription, provides a more detailed summary of steel production based on data supplied by companies representing 75% of US production capacity.
By Becca Moczygemba, Becca@SteelMarketUpdate.com
Becca Moczygemba
Read more from Becca MoczygembaLatest in Steel Markets
CMC looks beyond Arizona micro-mill woes to long-term viability of construction mart
Despite the economic and geopolitical upheaval of the last five years, CMC President and CEO Peter Matt points out that the construction market has been an essential element of the way forward.
US importers face stricter rules under revamped S232 tariffs
“CBP expects full compliance from the trade community for accurate reporting and payment of the additional duties. CBP will take enforcement action on non-compliance," the agency said in a March 7 bulletin.
Steel exports rebound in January
US steel exports recovered to a five-month high in January after having fallen to a two-year low in December. This growth follows four consecutive months of declining exports.
Construction spending drops marginally in January
Construction spending edged down slightly in January, slipping for the first time in four months. The US Census Bureau estimated spending at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,196 billion in January, down 0.2% from December’s downward revised rate. The January figure is 3.3% higher than a year ago. January’s result, despite the slight erosion, […]
HVAC equipment shipments slow in December but strong annually
Shipments of heating and cooling equipment in the US fell to an 11-month low in December, according to the latest data released by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).