US crude steel production grew 26.9pc to 1.87mn nt (1.7mn mt) for the week ended Aug 28 from 1.48mn nt in the same week last year and capacity utilization rose to 84.9pc against 65.9pc last year according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to last week, output ticked down 0.2pc from 1.88mn nt and a capacity utilization rate of 85pc.
Production increased 20pc to 62.05mn nt between Jan 1 and Aug 28 from 51.72mn nt during the same year-to-date period last year. The capacity utilization rate was 80.5pc from Jan 1 to Aug 28 compared to 66.6pc during the same period in 2020.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production increases occurred in most regions with output in the Northeast up by 34.5pc to 152,000nt, output in the Great Lakes rose 33.5pc to 638,000nt, output in the Midwest increased by 22.2pc to 198,000nt, output in the South rose 45.9pc to 811,000nt and the West’s output was flat at 74,000nt.
Compared to last week production dipped in some regions not including the Northeast with output up by 2pc from 149,000nt and the Great Lakes’ output moved up 0.3pc from 636,000nt. Production was down in the Midwest by 1.49pc from 201,000nt, output in the South decreased by 0.49pc from 815,000nt, and output in the West fell 2.6pc from 76,000nt.
The estimated crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from about 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.