Imports of stainless steel sheet/strip in YTD September 2009 were 151,227 tons, a 58.8% decrease compared to the same nine-month period in 2008, according to data recently released by The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA). U.S. consumption was 694,780 tons, a 32.8% decrease, and nine-month import penetration was 21.8%, down 13.8% from 2008.
Stainless steel plate imports were 29,934 tons in YTD September 2009, according to SSINA data, a 60.6% decrease compared to YTD September 2008. U.S. consumption was 130,993 tons, down 30.9%; nine-month import penetration was 22.9%, a 17.2% decrease from 2008.
Imports of stainless steel bar were down 41.3% to 55,826 tons compared to 2008 data. U.S. consumption was 110,977 tons, a 39.4% decrease, while import penetration for the nine months was 50.3%, down 1.6% from 2008.
Stainless steel rod imports were 9455 tons for the nine months, a 60.0% decrease compared to YTD September 2008, and U.S. consumption was down 48.2% to 25,382 tons. Nine-month import penetration was 37.2%, a drop-off of 11.1%.
Stainless steel wire imports in YTD September 2009 were 22,290 tons, a 33.4% decrease from 2008; U.S. consumption was 29,677 tons, a 44.9% decrease. Import penetration for the nine months was 75.1%, a 12.9 percentage point increase from 2008.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD September 2009 were 268,732 tons, a 54.9% decrease compared to the same period of 2008. U.S. consumption was 991,809 tons, a 34.3% decrease, and nine-month import penetration was 27.1%, a 12.4% drop-off from 2008.
Alloy tool steel imports were 26,850 tons for the nine-month period, a 64.7% decrease compared to 2008; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Imports of electrical steel in YTD September 2009 were 53,547 tons, a 39.6% decrease compared to YTD September 2008. U.S. consumption was 158,243 tons, down 40.4% from 2008; nine-month import penetration was 33.8%, a 0.4 percentage point increase from 2008.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel, and electrical steel) in YTD September 2009 were 349,129 tons, a 54.1% decrease compared to 2008; U.S. consumption was 1,166,775 tons, a 36.5% decrease; and import penetration for the nine months was 29.9%, an 11.5% decrease from 2008.
Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers, which include high-technology, high-value stainless and other specialty alloy products. Member companies include:
- ATI Allegheny Ludlum, Pittsburgh, Pa. (Allegheny Technologies company)
- ATI Allvac, Monroe, N.C. (an Allegheny Technologies company)
- Carpenter Technology Corp., Reading, Pa.
- Crucible Specialty Metals, Syracuse, N.Y.
- Electralloy, Oil City, Pa.
- Latrobe Specialty Steel Company, Latrobe, Pa.
- North American Stainless, Ghent, Ky.
- Outokumpu Stainless, Inc., Schaumburg, Ill.
- ThyssenKrupp Mexinox SA de CV, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
- Universal Stainless and Alloy Products, Bridgeville, Pa.
- Valbruna Slater Stainless Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.