September 8, 2026
Who We Serve
Decades of American Ingenuity
Steel is essential to Americans. Our infrastructure economy and livelihoods depend on it. We’ve been advocating for American EAF steelmakers for more than 30 years and have helped our members tell the story of sustainable steel through thought leadership, innovation and environmental stewardship.
A Positive Impact at Every Level
Environmental
Impact
Less is more. That’s our approach for improving steel’s impact on the environment for decades. And it all starts with how we look at steel and its unlimited potential.
Rethink
We never stop thinking about how we can make steel better. How can we reduce our footprint even more? How can steel products replace other products that have limited life cycles? What’s the next breakthrough in steelmaking?
Repurpose
We make the most out of every scrap of steel. Because steel is infinitely recyclable, it is recovered and remanufactured every day to make new high quality products.
Reduce
We cut back where it counts. Recycled steel = less landfill waste, less energy consumption and fewer emissions from production, transportation and shipping.
Revive
By rethinking what’s possible, repurposing what we create and reducing our overall impact, we help revive communities through cleaner air, a safer workplace and better opportunities.
Community Impact
American steel producers help elevate the standard of living in their respective communities through taxes paid, energy generation and social programs.
- Taxes Paid
Our member companies pay millions of dollars in property taxes annually, which helps fund schools, roads and community development. - Energy Generation
The power usage of EAF steel producers raises the reliability of their local energy supply, and therefore, creates a lower cost and more dependable energy supply for locals. - Social Programs
Our member companies donate millions of dollars and service hours to community-based social responsibility programs.
Economic Impact
Strength. Support. Stability. These physical qualities of steel are what EAF steel has provided the American economy for decades — through jobs, salaries and domestic investment.
2M
Our members directly and indirectly generate two million jobs in North America.
$142K
Average domestic steelmaker employee salary.
$15.7B
Domestic steelmakers have announced more than $15.7 billion dollars in new or upgraded steel facilities.
The American Steel Standard:
A Cut Above
Smarter
New steel products from domestic EAF steelmakers typically contain over 90% recycled content.
Safer
SMA members provide an environment where a strong safety culture promotes the health and wellness of our workforce.
More Efficient
Innovative technologies and investments allow many SMA member companies to produce steel at less than 1 man-hour per ton.
Good for Business. Better for All.
Steel is the framework that holds American businesses together, both structurally and economically. Small business to large corporations. Private sector to public sector. Entrepreneurs to investors. SMA members are deeply involved in building and maintaining these relationships to help promote free enterprise, fair trade and job creation.
The Real Cost of Foreign Steel.
Not all steel is produced with the same level of integrity. Much of the steel imported to the U.S. is produced at a lower cost because it is not held to the same standards as American EAF steel. Which begs the question––Where are they cutting corners?
Lower Quality
Steel imports often vary in grade because of the unregulated levels of alloys and other elements used in production. This can result in steel that is cheaper to produce, but weaker in strength.
Less Safe
Unlike American steel, not all foreign steel is required to go through the same level of testing for strength and carbon emissions.
Unfair Labor
Low wages. No health insurance. No workers’ rights. Unregulated work environments. These are just a few of the many reasons foreign steel producers are able to drive down cost.
Current News
September 4, 2026
September 1, 2026
