US raw steel production increased by 0.5pc to 1.73mn nt (1.56mn mt) from 1.72mn nt with a capacity utilization rate of 76.1pc for the week ended January 30, 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2020, output declined by 9.5pc from 1.91mn nt, and capacity utilization fell by 7.6pc from 82.4pc. Production has declined by 9.7pc to 7.36mn nt between Jan 1 and Jan 30 from 8.15mn nt during the same period last year.
The capacity utilization rate between Jan 1-30 tallied at 75.9pc compared to 82.4pc during the same timeframe in 2020. Total capacity declined by 193,000nt on an annual basis for the week ended Jan 30.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production in the North East declined by 35pc to 149,000nt; Great Lakes’ output fell by 10.6pc to 608,000nt; output in the Midwest fell by 8.8pc to 186,000nt; the South’s production declined by 0.56pc to 710,000nt, and the West’s output fell by 16.3pc to 72,000nt.
Compared to last week, crude steel production also decreased in all regions except the South that was up by 2.6pc from 692,000nt and West, which increased by 4.3pc from 69,000nt.
The crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.