Firm Stainless Plate Price in Tokyo

Stainless plate price is firm at 450,000 yen per tonne for SUS304 grade hot cut sheet and 570,000 yen for plate mill products around Tokyo. The distributors try to increase the reselling price when the makers pass the higher nickel cost on the selling price. The supply is tight under firm demand. The largest maker of Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel increased the selling price for 10 months in a row through October order to increase both base price and nickel alloy charge. With the aggressive hike, distributors expect higher market price. The firm is firm for chemical tanker, semiconductor making equipments and vacuum chamber for liquid crystal television. The stainless plate makers managed to adjust the delivery schedule when they cannot meet all of the order despite of the full capacity operations. The supply is tight in the distributors’ market with lower inventory held by distributors. The dealers try to secure materials not to lose business chance.