US raw steel production decreased by 0.8pc to 1.57mn nt (1.42mn mt) with a capacity utilization rate of 70.9pc for the week ended December 12, 2020, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2019, output declined by 13.7pc from 1.82mn nt, and capacity utilization fell by 9.7pc from 78.5pc. Production declined by 18.2pc to 75.3mn nt between January and Dec 12 from 92.1mn nt during the same period last year.
Capacity utilization rate was 67.3pc in the year till Dec 12 compared to 79.8pc during the same period in 2019. Total capacity declined by 3.5mn nt on an annual basis for the week ended Dec 12.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production in the North East was down by 32pc 144,000nt; Great Lakes output fell by 18.1pc to 558,000nt; output in the Midwest fell by 14.1pc to 165,000nt; the South’s production declined by 6pc to 628,000nt, and the West’s output fell by 20pc to 72,000nt.
Compared to last week, the regions’ production remained unchanged in the North East while increasing in the Great Lakes and Western region. Output declined by 2pc, respectively, in the Midwest from 169,000nt and in the Southern region from 641,000nt.
The crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.