Japan Tungsten Powder Output Down in 2006

Tungsten powder production in Japan decreased by 8.6% to 3,219 tonnes per year in 2006 from 2005, while molybdenum powder production increased by 41.6% to 620 tonnes, according to Japan Tungsten & Molybdenum Industries Association. The output growth of tungsten powder became slower for cemented carbide tools, the main application of tungsten powder. In addition the material demand seemed to shift from tungsten to molybdenum in 2006 when international tungsten price stayed rather high.Tungsten metal products output in Japan increased by 4.6% to 586 tonnes in 2006 from 2005. Tungsten rod and wire increased by 12.1% to 295 tonnes, which are applied to lighting fittings and electronic parts. Machined tungsten products decreased by 9.8% to 147 tonnes, which became less than previous year’s output for the first time in 5 years. Tungsten alloy and other products increased by 7.4%.Japanese tungsten powder output kept over 3,000 tonnes per year since 2004 to reflect the growth trend of cemented carbide tool market, even though the annual output volume decreased in 2006 from 2005. The production of tungsten metal products kept over 550 tonnes per year since 2004, which had stayed at over 400 tonnes by 2003 and decreased temporarily in 2005 down by 6% from 2004. Tungsten demand is totally increasing in Japan.Molybdenum metal products output in Japan increased by 22.6% to 1,191 tonnes per year in 2006 from 2005, which exceeded 1,000 tonnes for the first time. Molybdenum rod and wire decreased by 2.3% while plate and machined products increased by 26.9% to 1,125 tonnes thanks to demand increase for sputtering target materials.