US specialty steel imports up by 13%

US specialty steel imports up by 13%

Based on the data released by the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA), imports of total specialty steel (stainless steel, alloy tool steel, electrical steel) increased by 13% from a year earlier in the first six months of the year to 379'081 tons. The 9% rise in US specialty steel consumption was not enough to offset the import increase. Imports of stainless steel, the industry's largest product category, fluctuated wildly depending on the product line. Stainless steel plate imports were recorded as 38'085 tons with an increase of 64%. Demand for the product also soared by 15% to 151'688 tons. Stainless steel sheet/strip import tonnage reached 180'576 tons, up by 18% while demand rose by 11% to 889'936 tons. Imports of stainless steel rod increased by 1% to 21'152 tons while US consumption jumped by 16% to 43'470 tons. Stainless steel bar imports were stable at 37'852 tons. However, domestic consumption was up by 6% to 99'516 tons.