Steel output scores weekly rise

Steelworkers and mills in the United States had not yet shifted into holiday mode in the week of Dec. 13-19, with the Washington-based American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reporting steel production rising by 3.3 percent that week compared with the week before.

According to AISI, the nearly 1.62 million tons of steel produced in the U.S. the week ending Dec. 19 was made with mills operating at 73.2 percent of capacity. The mill capacity figure also was up from the prior week, when the industry was running at 70.9 percent of capacity.

Although the industry continues to rebound from the low output levels it reached in April and early May—when mills operated at a capacity rate as low as 51.1 percent—output remains below year-ago levels.

In the week ending Dec. 19, 2019, production stood at more than 1.81 million tons, meaning this year’s comparable weekly figure represents 10.8 less output. Year to date, mills in the U.S. have produced 18 percent less steel compared with the 2019 output level.

Compared with earlier this year, however, the steady uptick in domestic steel output has been one of several factors—along with limited supply and overseas ferrous scrap demand—that have contributed to fast-rising ferrous scrap prices in the U.S.