On Monday, The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration of stainless steel products for year-to-date December 2011. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for December 2011 compared to the same 2010 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 2011 were 392,351 tons, a 1.2 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption was 1,576,266 tons, a 26.1 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 24.9 percent, a 6.1 percent decrease from 2010.
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date December 2011 were 173,800 tons, a 78.4 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; U.S. consumption was 369,664 tons, a 42.8 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 47 percent, a 9.4 percent increase from 2010.
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date December 2011 were 142,629 tons, a 31.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption was 259,063 tons, a 18.7 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 55.1 percent, a 5.3 percent increase from 2010.
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in year-to-date December 2011 were 27,650 tons, a 13.8 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption was 72,118 tons, a 10.3 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 38.3 percent, a 1.1 percent increase from 2010.
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date December 2011 were 46,409 tons, a 3.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption was 61,146 tons, a 3.5 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 75.9 percent, a 0.1 percent increase from 2010.
Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in year-to-date December 2011 were 782,838 tons, an 18.1 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption was 2,338,258 tons, a 26.3 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was 33.5 percent a 2.3 percent decrease from 2010.
- Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date December 2011 were 112,209 tons, a 31.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.
- Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date December 2011 were 113,702 tons, a 20.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption was 233,923 tons, a 19 percent increase from year-to-date December 2010; 12 month import penetration was 48.6 percent, a 0.6 percent increase from 2010.
Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in year-to-date December 2011 were 1,008,750 tons, a 19.8 percent increase compared to year-to-date December 2010; US consumption was 2,633,684 tons, a 25.3 percent increase; 12 month import penetration was
38.3 percent, a 1.8 percent decrease from 2010.