Steel Mills
AISI: Output remains low as raw steel production slips
Written by Brett Linton
December 2, 2024
The volume of raw steel produced by US mills slipped last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Weekly production has hovered in this territory for the last two months and is at the sixth lowest rate of this year.
Total raw steel output was estimated at 1,638,000 short tons (st) in the week ending Nov. 30. Mill production declined by 17,000 st, or 1.0%, from the previous week. Recall that raw production fell to a 20-month low of 1,606,000 st in mid-October (Figure 1).
Production last week was 3.9% lower than the year-to-date weekly average of 1,705,000 st. It is 2.9% less than the same week last year, when mill output totaled 1,687,000 st.
Last week’s mill capability utilization rate was 73.8%. That’s down from the week prior (74.5%) but up from this time last year (73.4%).
Year-to-date production now totals 80,517,000 st at a capability utilization rate of 75.8%. This is 2.3% less than the same period of last year, when 82,422,000 st had been produced at a capability utilization rate of 76.1%.
Weekly production by region is as follows (weekly changes shown in parentheses):
- Northeast – 127,000 st (up 2,000 st)
- Great Lakes – 544,000 st (down 26,000 st)
- Midwest – 227,000 st (up 14,000 st)
- South – 690,000 st (down 4,000 st).
- West – 50,000 st (down 3,000 st)
Editor’s note: The raw steel production tonnage provided in this report is estimated and should be used primarily to assess production trends. The monthly AISI “AIS 7” report is available by subscription and provides a more detailed summary of domestic steel production.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Steel Mills
USW says opposing USS/Nippon deal is First Amendment right, seeks lawsuit dismissal
The union says the suit is "a frivolous and unsubstantiated attack on our union simply for exercising our First Amendment rights."
AISI: Weekly raw steel output ticks higher
The volume of raw steel produced by US mills slightly increased last week, according to American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) data. Last week’s production rate represents the second-highest level recorded this year.
Opening briefs filed in Nippon/USS lawsuit vs. US government
Together, Nippon Steel, Nippon Steel North America, and U.S. Steel announced the filing of their opening brief in their litigation to invalidate the government’s decision to block their announced merger. The brief lays out “how President Biden made a predetermined decision for political reasons, not national security, causing CFIUS to engage in a sham review […]
Cliffs blames muted auto demand for steep losses in 2024
Muted demand from the auto industry took a particular toll later in the year.
U.S. Steel losses widen, better times seen as BR2 ramp-up continues
U.S. Steel’s losses widened in the fourth quarter on lower steel prices, weaker demand, and startup costs relating to the expansion of its Big River Steel EAF sheet mill in Arkansas. But the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker said it expected results to improve in 2025 as Big River 2 – the project to double capacity at the Osceola, Ark., mill - gains steam.