Based on reported import licenses, US flat products imports fell 7% from 769,000 short tons in June, 2023 to 717,000 tons in June, 2024. The decline was mainly due to lower hot rolled imports from South Korea, which was partially offset by higher hot dip galvanized imports from Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil and South Korea.
US flat products imports in the first six months of 2024 were 18% higher than in the same period last year with hot dip galvanized +43%, cold rolled +30%, cut plate +8%, and hot rolled -1%.
US flat products import licenses
January 2016 to June 2024
Short tons
Sheet steel being rolled at HBIS Tangsteel from Worldsteel Image Library
What are some of the lessons learned in Season 1 interviews with leaders such as Arvedi’s Mario Arvedi Caldonazzo and Salzgitter’s Gunnar Groebler? Energy is key to the future of steel decarbonization in Europe. Italy’s innovative steel companies could be the engine of change in Europe. There are 1,400 blast furnaces around the world, and optimization of these furnaces can lower their carbon emissions by 25%.
Season 2 will start up after the summer break including interviews with leaders of the Volvo Group, BioCarbon, SA Recycling and Nucor.
Worldsteel reported crude steel production in China at 92.9 million metric tonnes in May, 2.7% higher than in May, 2023. Chinese production in the first five months of 2024 was 3.3% lower than in the same period last year.
Data from China’s General Administration of Customs show net finished steel exports (exports minus imports) in May at 9.0 million tonnes, 16% higher than in May, 2023. Finished steel exports in the first five months of 2024 were 25% higher than in the first five months of 2023.
China monthly crude steel production, January, 2010 to May, 2024
China produced 92.9 million tonnes in May, accounting for 56% of world output and rising 2.7% compared to May, 2023. Asian output outside of China, which now accounts for 18% of world output, fell 1.7% on last May due to declines in Japan (-6.3%) and South Korea (-10.9%), and despite increasing production in India (+3.5%).
North American production fell by 0.9% on last May following a 1.5% decline in the US. In contrast, Turkish production rose by 11.6%.
Slabs at Novolipetsk (NLMK Group) from Worldsteel Image Library
Episode 14 of The Green Steel Challenge podcast features Thomas Hansmann, CTO of world-leading steelmaking plant supplier SMS. Thomas does a superb job in summarizing which decarbonization technologies are state of the art, why it’s so important to lower blast furnace emissions, and finally, the two main barriers which are in the way of the radical shift to decarbonized steel.
The Green Steel Challenge podcasts are produced by the Korf Foundation and Kallanish Commodities and the discussion is all about how exactly we can deliver Green Steel. The next episode will be the Season 1 wrap-up discussion “FINALE. HIGHLIGHTS & REFLECTIONS” released June 25th.
Based on reported import licenses, US long products imports rose 28% from 250,000 short tons in May, 2023 to 319,000 tons in May, 2024. The rise was mainly due to higher parallel flange sections imports from South Korea, higher wire rod imports from Ukraine (and others), and higher rebar imports from Turkey and Bulgaria.
US long products imports in the first five months of 2024 were 7% higher than in the same period last year. The increase was mainly due to higher wire rod and parallel flange sections imports, which were partially offset by lower rebar imports.
