Japan Makers’ Bond Magnet Output Increases in 2006

Bond magnet production by Japanese magnet makers increased by 8.1% to 57.1 billion yen in 2006 from 2005 thanks to active production at overseas including China and Thailand, according to The Japan Association of Bonded Magnet Materials. Domestic output weight decreased by 6.1% to 12,120 tonnes when magnet makers have shifted their production bases to overseas and magnetic products have downsized in recent years, while domestic output value increased by 2.4% to 21.6 billion yen. Offshore output value increased by 12% to 35.5 billion yen.Production of flexible bond magnet is in decreasing trend. The output value is decreasing especially for audio and visual (AV) appliances when the production bases have shifted to overseas countries and the productive costs have reduced. Flexible bond magnet output also decreased for motors due to the rise of Chinese magnet makers.Rigid bond magnet output increased in both weight and value for all demand fields other than AV appliances in 2006 from 2005. Shipment of magnetic roll decreased in weight due to products downsizing but the decrease was covered by the shipment increase in unit amount.Output weight of rare earth bond magnet decreased in 2006 from 2005, while the value increased when magnet makers raised their selling prices to pass upsurge of magnetic powder cost price. The output increased for auto parts in both weight and value, when rare earth bond magnet is used for more applications such as motors and censors installed into automobiles. The output volume also increased for motors thanks to downsizing of vibrating motors.