Japan Rolled Copper Demand to Grow by 2.5% by 2011

Japanese rolled copper demand will reach 1.025 million tonnes in fiscal 2011 ending March 2012, according to Japan Copper and Brass Association. The association expects the demand increases by 2.5% from fiscal 2006 when the application expands in industry for semiconductors and connector while brass bar demand decreases due to higher copper price. The association expects the copper strip and sheet demand increases by annual 1% from fiscal 2008 when the demand recovers for semiconductor in late 2007 and grows for discrete. The association estimates the demand is firm despite of the negative impact from downsizing for electronics and automotive connector and from shift to other materials to avoid higher copper price. The association expects the brass wire demand increases by annual 0.5% while the phosphor bronze demand increases by 0.4%. The association expects the copper pipe demand decreases by 0.8% due to offshore shift of air conditioner makers and shift to other construction materials to avoid higher copper price.