Growing market share

Recycling Today last published its list and map of electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking facilities, or minimills, in 2006. These facilities use ferrous scrap as their primary raw material, with many using as much as 100 percent scrap in their production.

According to figures published in 2009 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. steel industry produced 106 million tons of raw steel in 2006. Roughly 93 minimills accounted for 57 percent of the total U.S. steel production at that time.

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), Washington, in its “2013 Annual Statistical Report,” says U.S. steel production, shipments, imports and exports all decreased in 2013 relative to 2012 and that U.S. steel markets remained below prerecession levels. U.S. steel mills produced 96 million net tons in 2013, a 2 percent decrease over 2012, AISI says.

Click on the image above to see the full list and map of the ferrous scrap melting facilities in the U.S.

While overall U.S. steel production has declined relative to 2006, minimills account for more of the steel produced, growing from 57 percent in 2006 to nearly 66 percent in 2012, according to the Steel Manufacturers Association, Washington.

As one might expect, some changes have occurred since 2006 that affect the composition of this list and map. While many of the mills that were listed in 2006 have not disappeared, they have changed hands. Click the image on the right to view a map of the ferrous scrap melting facilities in the U.S.