The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) has released statistical data on imports, US
consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date December 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for December 2012 compared to the same 2011 12 month period.
The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:
- Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in year-to-date December 2012 were 452,475 tons, a 15.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption was 1,700,822 tons, a 7.9 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 26.6 percent, a 1.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date December 2012 were 203,026 tons, a 16.8 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption was 412,431 tons, an 11.6 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 49.2 percent, a 2.2 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date December 2012 were 146,097 tons, a 2.4 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption was 256,888 tons, a 0.8 percent decrease; 12 month import penetration was 56.9 percent, a 1.8 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in YTD December 2012 were 29,950 tons, an 8.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption was 71,095 tons, a 1.4 percent decrease; 12 month import penetration was 42.1 percent, a 3.8 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date December 2012 were 48,332 tons, a 4.1 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption was 59,864 tons, a 2.1 percent decrease; 12 month import penetration was 80.7 percent, a 4.8 percentage point increase from 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in year-to-date December 2012 were 879,879 tons, a 12.4 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption was 2,501,101 tons, a 7 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 35.2 percent, a 1.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date December 2012 were 124,742 tons, a 11.2 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
- Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date December 2012 were 118,635 tons, a 4.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in year-to-date December 2012 were 1,123,255 tons, a 11.4 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.