Japan Ferrous Scrap Use Rises by 4.2% in 2007

Japanese ferrous scrap consumption increased by 4.2% to 52.557 million tonnes including usage by converter, electric furnace and casting in 2007 from 2006, according to Japan Ferrous Raw Materials Association. The converters’ consumption increased by 11%. Domestic integrated steel makers increase the usage both to increase the output and reduce the carbon dioxide emission. The converters’ consumption increased by 11% to 12.391 million tonnes in 2007 from 2006. The electric furnaces’ usage increased by 3.2% to 32.091 million tonnes. The casting operations increased the usage by 0.3% to 6.892 million tonnes. The scrap supply increased by 5.2% to 53.629 million tonnes in 2007 from 2006. Steel plants’ inner supply increased by 3.7% to 15.609 million tonnes while the market supply increased by 5.4% to 37.901 million tonnes.