China not an issue, for now, on stainless bar

Mar 28, 2011 | 09:57 AM | Maria Guzzo

Tags  SSINA, stainless bar, Department of Commerce, Universal Stainless, imports, China, Taiwan, Eastern Europe Drye & Warren

PITTSBURGH — The stainless bar industry has tuned its radar to imports of large-diameter product, and while Italy and Germany were behind a recent surge, they’re not the only countries sparking concern among players.

Taiwan and Eastern European countries are also adding to the mix, one mill source said.

"I don’t see Chinese mills as a huge factor yet, but I will make a prediction they will be a huge factor. They are adding capacity like crazy," he said, also expressing fears about a potential surge in imports.

"Stainless bar is a fungible product with a finite marketplace," he told AMM. "And the U.S. has always been a target for rich and vibrant importing."

The Specialty Steel Industry of North America (SSINA) last week expressed similiar concern, pointing to triple-digit percentage increases in U.S. imports of stainless steel bar and other specialty steel products, particularly large-diameter product, between July-December 2009 and July-December 2010 (AMM, March 28).....