US raw steel production increased 0.1pc to 1.75mn nt (1.58mn mt) from 1.74mn nt with a capacity utilization rate of 77pc for the week ended February 20, 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2020, output declined by 7.2pc from 1.88mn nt and capacity utilization fell by 5.3pc from 81.3pc. Production has declined by 8.5pc to 12.55mn nt between Jan 1 and Feb 20 from 13.72mn nt during the same period last year.
The capacity utilization rate was 76.1pc from Jan to Feb 20 compared to 81.9pc during the same period in 2020. Total capacity declined by 253,000nt on an annual basis for the week ended Feb 20.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production in the North East declined by 33pc to 153,000nt; Great Lakes’ output fell by 7pc to 637,000nt; output in the Midwest dropped by 9.9pc to 183,000nt; the South’s production decreased by 1.7pc to 700,000nt and the West’s output rose by 4.3pc to 72,000nt.
Compared to last week, production decreased in all regions except the Great Lakes where output increased by 6.3pc.
The crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.