Japan Rolled Copper Production Hits Historical Low in January

Japanese rolled copper production decreased by 45% to 43,390 tonnes in January from a year earlier, announced by Japan Copper and Brass Association on Tuesday. The output decreased for 6 months in a row and hit third widest drop as 45% down in December 1974. The production level was second low after 40,453 tonnes in August 1975. The production decreased when the makers stopped the operation at some plants under slower demand for automobile and semiconductor makers.

The copper strip production decreased by 10.1% to 8,680 tonnes in January from a year earlier. The decrease was the widest drop since the statistics started in 1953. The production volume hit the lowest level after 7,830 tonnes in August 1983. The production decreased due to slower demand while the output hit record 25,063 tonnes in October 2007.

The output of phosphor bronze flat and strip products decreased by 72.4% to 1,315 tonnes in January from a year earlier. The drop was second widest after 73.4% drop in February 1975. The production volume was lower than the largest makers’ production capacity.

The copper tube output decreased by 24.2% to 9,232 tonnes in January from a year earlier, which decreased to less than 10,000 tonnes for the first time after 9,526 tonnes in August 1983.