Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/eaa16a/united_states_meta) has announced the addition of the "United States Metals Report Q1 2012" report to their offering.

Business Monitor International's United States Metals Report provides industry professionals and strategists, corporate analysts, metals associations, government departments and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on United States's metals industry.

With US growth construction activity still faltering and the automotive market under pressure, US metals production is set for a slow year in 2012. However, BMI's latest US Metals Report does not anticipate the kind of slump seen after the 2008 financial crisis, despite the concerns surrounding the impact of the eurozone crisis on the global market.

In 2011 US crude steel production grew 8.4% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 87.3mn tonnes while hot-rolled output rose 10.0% to 82.2mn tonnes on the back of a 19.5% rise in consumption to 99.1mn tonnes. However, it will be some years before production returns to normal. BMI forecasts flat production and consumption growth in 2012 due to a slowdown in manufacturing activity, but a contraction is unlikely.

In 2011, aluminium output grew 14.5% as producers brought potlines back online and the market returned to a healthier position. As a result, imports as a proportion of total supply fell from 45% in 2010 to 43% in 2011. Aluminium production was boosted in 2011 with Ormet reopening its alumina refinery in H211 and raising capacity utilisation at its 267,500 tonne per annum (tpa) smelter from 66% in 2010 to 100% due to positive demand conditions. Output is set to rise by a further 2.0% to 2.02mn tonnes in 2012.

Growth in consumption and production is expected to continue over the medium term, although the net national deficit is set to grow, requiring growth in imports. Further plant openings are expected amid the stabilisation of product prices and energy costs as well as improved demand.

Read more inside United States Metals Report Q1 2012

Companies Mentioned:

  • Alcoa
  • ArcelorMittal
  • Nucor
  • US Steel

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/eaa16a/united_states_meta