US raw steel production increased by 1.4pc to 1.79mn nt (1.62mn mt) at a capacity utilization rate of 79.2pc for the week ended May 15, 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Compared to the same week in 2020, output rose by 47.1pc from 1.22mn nt, and capacity utilization increased by 24.6pc. In the year till May 15, production was better by 7.3pc to 33.8mn nt from 31.5mn nt during the same period in 2020. Total capacity declined by 1.4mn nt on an annual basis for the week ended May 15, 2021.
Regionally, compared to the same week a year ago, production in the North East rose by 65pc to 151,000nt; Great Lakes output rose by 54pc to 616,000nt; Output in the Midwest jumped by 50pc to 187,000nt; the South’s production increased by 51pc to 767,000nt; the West’s output increased by 42pc to 71,000nt.
Compared to the prior week, production increased in all regions of the US by 1,000-7,000nt.
The crude steel tonnage provided by AISI is compiled by combining weekly production figures from 50pc of domestic producers and monthly production data.