[Ferro-Alloys.com] The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that in the week ending on September 5, 2020, domestic raw steel production was 1,428,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 63.7 percent. Production was 1,813,000 net tons in the week ending September 5, 2019 while the capability utilization then was 78.0 percent. The current week production represents a 21.2 percent decrease from the same period in the previous year. Production for the week ending September 5, 2020 is up 3.3 percent from the previous week ending August 29, 2020 when production was 1,383,000 net tons and the rate of capability utilization was 61.7 percent.

 

Finished steel imports with large increases in August permits vs. the July final imports included sheets and strip electrolytic galvanized (up 139%), steel piling (up 64%), line pipe (up 33%) and cut lengths plates (up 37%). Products with significant year-to date (YTD) increases vs. the same period in 2019 include tin free steel (up 30%) and light shapes bars (up 14%).