US Stainless Scrap Export Increases by 14% in 2008

US stainless steel scrap export increased by 14.1% to 1.15 million tonnes through 2008 from 2007, which exceeded 1 million tonnes for 3 consecutive years, according to the US Department of Commerce. Stainless steel makers reduced the production worldwide but stainless scrap demand kept firm in emerging countries of Asia. Eight countries in Asia appeared in the top 10 as large stainless scrap importers from USA.

Taiwan became the top importer for 2 consecutive years. The import of Taiwan totaled over 200,000 tonnes from USA in 2008, which was about 94,000 tonnes in 2006. The second importer was South Korea. The import of South Korea increased by 166.6% to 143,055 tonnesfrom USA in 2008 from 2007. The third importer was China. The import decreased by 36% to 100,884 tonnes from USA in 2008 from 2007, decreasing for 3 consecutive years. US stainless scrap export is increasing to Thailand and Vietnam.

The export t to Finland was seventh in 2008, which increased for the first time in 4 years. The export to Canada was tenth in 2008, which was tenth in 2007, too. The export to Spain decreased by 75% to 13,200 tonnes in 2008 from 2007, which was fourteenth in 2008 and was sixth at 52,833 tonnes in 2007.