On Friday, the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date June 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for year-to-date June 2012 compared to the same 2011 six 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 June 2012 were 215,199 tons, a 2.1 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption was 849,845 tons, a 1.6 percent increase; six month import penetration was 25.3 percent, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date June 2012 were 119,047 tons, a 43.5 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption was 233,497 tons, a 33.1 percent increase; six month import penetration was 51.0 percent, a 3.7 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date June 2012 were 78,831 tons, a 7.8 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption was 139,194 tons, a 1.4 percent increase; six month import penetration was 56.6 percent, a 3.3 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in year-to-date June 2012 were 16,070 tons, a 3.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption was 37,185 tons, a 10.6 percent decrease; six month import penetration was 43.2 percent, a 5.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date June 2012 were 24,225 tons, a 1.8 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption was 29,944 tons, a 3.1 percent decrease; six month import penetration was 80.9 percent, a 3.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in year-to-date June 2012 were
453,372 tons, a 11.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption was 1,289,664 tons, a 5.6 percent increase; six month import penetration was 35.2 percent, a 1.9 percentage point increase from 2011.
- Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date June 2012 were 66,960 tons, a 26.2 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
- Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date June 2012 were 61,889 tons, a 12.5 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 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 June 2012 were 582,221 tons, a 13.2 percent increase compared to year-to-date June 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.