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Positive Trends in North America’s Steel Market: Insights from Plant Activity and Recent News

Recent analysis of North America’s steel market reveals an overall positive sentiment, underpinned by observed activity increases at key plants. This follows significant discussions in articles like “Trump mulls tariffs in quest for Greenland“ and “Greenland’s resources face extraction hurdles,” which, while primarily geopolitical, indicate potential shifts in trade dynamics that could influence steel suppliers.

Measured satellite data indicates that Nucor Steel’s plants, particularly in Hertford and Plymouth, show fluctuating activity levels but remain above historical lows. As of January 2026, the Nucor Steel Hertford plant reported a 64% activity level, slightly stable compared to December, while the Nucor Steel Plymouth plant saw a slight decrease to 38%. Conversely, the AM/NS Calvert LLC plant has exhibited stronger performance with a 79% activity level, reflecting heightened demand for its rolled products, particularly within automotive and infrastructure sectors.

Bar chart and satellite map of steel production activity in North America

For the Nucor Steel Hertford plant, recent activity levels remained stable at 64%, despite fluctuations throughout the previous months. This stability amidst geopolitical uncertainty, as discussed in “Greenland’s resources face extraction hurdles”, offers assurance that U.S. steel production remains resilient. In contrast, the AM/NS Calvert LLC plant’s increased activity to 79% suggests robust demand, particularly driven by sectors that are integrating more advanced coated products in their supply chains.

Given these developments, steel buyers should consider the following actionable recommendations:

  • Procurement Focus: Prioritize sourcing from AM/NS Calvert LLC, as its increased production aligns with heightened demand and suggests stable supply reliability amidst geopolitical tensions.
  • Monitoring Activity Trends: Continuously observe the activity levels at Nucor Steel plants, especially in light of the possible tariffs indicated in “Trump mulls tariffs in quest for Greenland,” which could significantly affect material costs and availability.
  • Risk Assessment for Supply Chains: Evaluate potential supply disruptions stemming from foreign relations, particularly related to extraction hurdles for necessary raw materials, as identified in news articles. Consider diversifying suppliers to mitigate risks associated with geopolitical shifts.

Overall, the North American steel market exhibits positive growth yet demands informed strategies to navigate through potential supply challenges ahead.