USA. DECEMBER STEEL SHIPMENTS UP 11.3 PERCENT FROM NOVEMBER

USA. DECEMBER STEEL SHIPMENTS UP 11.3 PERCENT FROM NOVEMBER. The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported that for the month of December 2009, U.S. steel mills shipped 6,035,000 net tons, an 11.3percent increase from the 5,424,000 net tons shipped in the previous month, November 2009, and a 30.8 percent increase from the 4,613,000 net tons shipped in December 2008. A month-to-month comparison of shipments shows the following changes: hot rolled sheet, up 21 percent; hot dipped galvanized sheet and strip, up 6 percent; and cold rolled sheet, up 3 percent. AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology.