Japan Rolled Copper Output Exceeds 1 Million Tonnes in 2006

Japanese copper rolled products output increased by 5.9% to 1.048 million tonnes in 2006 from 2005, which exceeded 1 million tonnes for the first time since 2004, announced by Japan Copper and Brass Association on Wednesday. The output volume increased for every major product such as copper strip, brass bar, copper tube and phosphor bronze strip. Domestic demand was totally favorable thanks to economic uptrend in Japan while the export also kept high level. The association expects the annual output could keep the level in 2007 as much as 2006.Output of phosphor bronze strip increased most among the products in 2006 from 2005. The demand had increased for cellular phone and digital appliances such as thin display television since the beginning of 2006. The demand was also firm for automobile related usages. The export increased mainly for China.Brass bar demand maintained steady for automobile, water faucet, valve and electric appliances. Export of cadmium-free brass bar increased when Restriction of Hazardous Substances was carried out by European Union.Copper strip output increased mainly for semiconductor, automobile and digital appliances. In semiconductor related fields, the export maintains active for Southeast Asia while the domestic demand seems to enter adjustment phase.Copper tube output increased in 2006 when the demand upped for heat exchanger and out-in production trend slowed down among Japanese air conditioner makers, the main users of copper tube.