US specialty steel import up in 2004

US specialty steel import up in 2004

Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) data show that total stainless steel imports increased 37% to 677'173 tons in 2004. SSINA added that imports of total specialty steel (including stainless steel, alloy tool steel, and electrical steel) increased 29% year on year to 858'516 tons in 2004. In addition, US consumption increased 11% to 2.93 million tons. The specialty steel product with the largest import growth was stainless sheet/strip, which expanded 42% to 435'775 tons last year. At the same time, stainless sheet/strip experienced the greatest spike in consumption, climbing 14% year on year to 1.81 million tons.