1,730,000 net tons while the capability utilization rate was 71.5 percent. Production was 1,381,000 tons in the week ending August 21, 2009, while the capability utilization then was 57.7 percent. The current week production represents a 25.3 percent increase from the same period in the previous year. Production for the week ending August 21, 2010 is up 2.4 percent from the previous week ending August 14, 2010 when production was 1,689,000 tons and the rate of capability utilization was 69.8 percent. Adjusted year-to-date production through August 21, 2010 was 50,064,000 tons, at a capability utilization rate of 70.7 percent. That is a 56.1 percent increase from the 36,449,000 tons during the same period last year, when the capability utilization rate was 46.2 percent.

AISI reported that U.S. imported a total of 2,415,000 net tons of steel in July (up 19% vs. June). Annualized total and finished steel imports in 2010 would be 24.2 and 18.8 million NT, up 49% and 33% vs. 2009. Import market share was 22% in July, vs. 20% in June and a low 15% in August 2009. In the first 7 months of 2010, total and finished steel imports were up 47% and 23% compared to the same period last year. Key finished steel products with significant import increases in June 2010 compared to May include line pipe (up 61%), oil country goods (up 34%), plates in coils (up 26%), hot rolled sheets (up 26%, and cut to length plates (up 22%).

The roller coaster ride continues as carbon prices rise. Mills have announced the following increases: Merchant bars and Structural products $25/ton, SBQ $50/ton, Carbon flat roll $40/ton, & HSS $40/ton. Mills are expected to announce additional increases as scrap prices trend upward.

The T304 alloy surcharge will decrease to $.9391 lb and T316L will be $1.346 lb for the month of September, but prices will increase in the month of October.