On Wednesday, the Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) released statistical data on imports, US consumption, and import penetration for year-to-date April 2012. The data represents US consumption, imports, and import penetration for year-to-date April 2012 compared to the same 2011 four 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 April 2012 were 124,048 tons, a 7.8 percent decrease compared to year-to-date April 2011; US consumption was 550,999 tons, a 4.9 percent decrease; four month import penetration was 22.5 percent, a 0.7 percentage point decrease from 2011
- Stainless steel plate: Imports in year-to-date April 2012 were 77,195 tons, a 38.9 percent increase compared to year-to-date April 2011; US consumption was 152,413 tons, a 28.5 percent increase; four month import penetration was 50.6 percent, a 3.7 percentage point increase from 2011
- Stainless steel bar: Imports in year-to-date April 2012 were 52,965 tons, an 11.7 percent increase compared to year-to-date April 2011; US consumption was 93,613 tons, a 4 percent increase; four month import penetration was 56.6 percent, a 3.9 percentage point increase from 2011
- Stainless steel rod: Imports in year-to-date April 2012 were 10,055 tons, a 4.2 percent increase compared to year-to-date April 2011; US consumption was 23,580 tons, an 11 percent decrease; four month import penetration was 42.6 percent, a 6.2 percentage point increase from 2011
- Stainless steel wire: Imports in year-to-date April 2012 were 15,564 tons, a 0.7 percent increase compared to year-to-date April 2011; US consumption was 20,185 tons, a 0.8 percent decrease; four month import penetration was 77.1 percent, a 1.2 percentage point increase from 2011
- Alloy tool steel: Imports in year-to-date April 2012 were 46,653 tons, a 33.6 percent increase compared to year-to-date April 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable
- Electrical steel: Imports in year-to-date April 2012 were 43,752 tons, a 13.3 percent increase compared to year-to-date April 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 April 2012 were 370,232 tons, a 10.1 percent increase compared to year-to-date April 2011; US consumption and import penetration were not calculable.