Japan Raw Steel Output Hits 10 million tonnes in July

Japanese raw steel output increased by 1.5% to 10 million tonnes in July from a year earlier, which is increases for 14 months in a row, announced by Japan Iron and Steel Federation on Tuesday. The output was third high as July after 10.14 million tonnes in 1974 and 10.11 million tonnes in 1973 under strong demand. The converter steel output increased by 2.8% to 7.56 million tonnes in July from a year earlier while the electric furnace steel output decreased by 2.1% to 2.44 million tonnes. The converter steel output increased for 14 months in a row while the electric furnace steel output decreased for the first time in 3 months. The daily raw steel output was 322,000 tonnes, which was lower than 332,000 tonnes in June. The carbon steel output increased by 1.2% to 7.85 million tonnes in July from a year earlier, which increased for 14 months in a row. The special steel output increased by 2.9% to 2.15 million tonnes, which increased for 19 months in a row. The hot rolled steel products output increased by 2.8% to 9.11 million tonnes including special steel in July from a year earlier. The carbon steel products output increased by 3.1% to 7.33 million tonnes. The carbon steel long products output increased by 0.4% to 2.07 million tonnes and flat steel output increased by 4.4% to 5.19 million tonnes. The carbon steel wide strip output, which is the largest item, increased by 4.2% to 4.04 million tonnes in July from a year earlier, which increased for 14 months in a row. The carbon steel plate output increased by 8.2% to 1.07 million tonnes, which increased by 9 months in a row. The carbon steel heavy shapes output decreased by 3.6% to 120,000 tonnes in July from a year earlier, which decreased for the first time in 6 months. The medium- and small-sized shapes output decreased by 6.2% to 110,000 tonnes, which decreased for 2 months in a row. The small bar output increased by 0.3% to 1.02 million tonnes and H-beam output increased by 3.1% to 390,000 tonnes, both of which increased for 22 months in a row. The special steel hot rolled products output increased by 1.3% to 1.78 million tonnes in July from a year earlier, which increased for 14 months in a row.