US Steel Production Rises

American steel mills saw increases in both production and capability utilization last week, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.

Domestic raw steel output was 1.73 million tons, while steelmakers operated at 71.5 percent of capability for the week ended August 21 - up from 69.8 percent capability utilization and roughly 1.69 million tons produced the previous week.

In year-over-year results, output rose 25.3 percent from 1.38 million tons, while capability utilization increased by 13.8 percent.

Adjusted year-to-date production through August 21, 2010 was 56.9 million tons at a capability utilization rate of 70.7 percent. That is a 56.1 percent increase from the 36.5 million tons during the same period last year, when the capability utilization rate was 46.2 percent.