The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) has released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date September 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for September 2012 compared to the same 2011 nine 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 September 2012 were 353,651 tons, a 12.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption was 1,294,275 tons, a 6.8 percent increase; nine month import penetration was 27.3 percent, a 1.4 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date September 2012 were 174,243 tons, a 34.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption was 337,931 tons, a 24.9 percent increase; nine month import penetration was 51.6 percent, a 3.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date September 2012 were 113,048 tons, a 5 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption was 199,090 tons, a 0.3 percent increase; nine month import penetration was 56.8 percent, a 2.6 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in year-to-date September 2012 were 24,135 tons, a 15 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption was 56,880 tons, a 1.6 percent decrease; nine month import penetration was 42.4 percent, a 4.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date September 2012 were 37,237 tons, a 5.8 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption was 45,748 tons, a 0.5 percent decrease; nine month import penetration was 81.4 percent, a 4.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in year-to-date September 2012 were 702,315 tons, a 15.7 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption was 1,933,924 tons, an 8.5 percent increase; nine month import penetration was 36.3 percent, a 2.3 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date September 2012 were 100,982 tons, a 23.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
- Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date September 2012 were 90,364 tons, a 6.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 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 September 2012 were 893,661 tons, a 15.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date September 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.