US raw steel production increased by 3.3pc to 1.62mn nt (1.47mn mt) with a capacity utilization rate of 73.2pc for the week ended December 19, 2020, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2019, output declined by 10.8pc from 1.82mn nt, and capacity utilization fell by 6.75pc from 78.5pc. Production has declined by 18pc to 76.95mn nt year-to-date from 93.89mn nt during the same period last year.
The capacity utilization rate was 67.4pc year-to-date through Dec 19 compared to 79.8pc during the same period in 2019. Total capacity declined by 3.49mn nt on an annual basis for the week ended Dec 19.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production in the North East was down by 31.9pc to 141,000nt; Great Lakes output fell by 14.7pc to 581,000nt; output in the Midwest fell by 11.3pc to 172,000nt; the South’s production declined by 6.5pc to 650,000nt, and the West’s output fell by 15.7pc to 75,000nt.
Compared to last week, the regions’ production increased except for the North East where output declined by 2.1pc from 144,000nt to 141,000nt.
The crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.