Specialty Steel Market Data Released By SSINA For October 2009

Washington, DC - The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) has released statistical data on imports, U.S. consumption, and import penetration for October 2009. The data represents U.S. consumption, imports, and import penetration for year-to-date (YTD) October 2009 compared to the same 2008 ten-month period.

The following data is presented by specialty steel product line, total stainless steel, and total specialty steel:

• Stainless steel sheet/strip: Imports in YTD October 2009 were 173,767 tons, a 56.6% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 776,782 tons, a 31.2% decrease; ten-month import penetration was 22.4%, a 13.0 percentage point decrease from 2008.

• Stainless steel plate: Imports in YTD October 2009 were 37,449 tons, a 54.7% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 146,638 tons, a 29.4% decrease; ten-month import penetration was 25.5%, a 14.3 percentage point decrease from 2008.

• Stainless steel bar: Imports in YTD October 2009 were 61,169 tons, a 41.5% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 122,707 tons, a 38.9% decrease; ten-month import penetration was 49.8%, a 2.2 percentage point decrease from 2008.

• Stainless steel rod: Imports in YTD October 2009 were 10,937 tons, a 58.3% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 28,703 tons, a 47.2% decrease; ten-month import penetration was 38.1%, a 10.2 percentage point decrease from 2008.

• Stainless steel wire: Imports in YTD October 2009 were 25,551 tons, a 31.0% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 33,645 tons, a 42.2% decrease; ten-month import penetration was 75.9%, a 12.2 percentage point increase from 2008.

Imports of total stainless steel (comprising the foregoing product lines) in YTD October 2009 were 308,874 tons, a 52.5% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 1,108,474 tons, a 32.8% decrease; ten-month import penetration was 27.9%, a 11.5 percentage point decrease from 2008.

• Alloy tool steel: Imports in YTD October 2009 were 30,107 tons, a 63.7% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption and import penetration were not calculable.

• Electrical steel: Imports in YTD October 2009 were 57,051 tons, a 42.8% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 172,827 tons, a 42.0% decrease from YTD October 2008; ten-month import penetration was 33.0%, a 0.5 percentage point decrease from 2008.

Imports of total specialty steel (comprising stainless steel, alloy tool steel and electrical steel) in YTD October 2009 were 396,033 tons, a 52.5% decrease compared to YTD October 2008; U.S. consumption was 1,299,751 tons, a 35.5% decrease; ten-month import penetration was 30.5%, a 10.9 percentage point decrease from 2008.

About Specialty Steel Industry of North America

Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing virtually all continental specialty metals producers, which include high technology, high value stainless and other specialty alloy products. For more information, go to www.ssina.com.