Sumitomo Metals Expands Seamless Pipe Share in Japan

Japanese seamless steel pipe output increased by 5.4% to 2.05 million tonnes in fiscal 2005 ended March 2006 from fiscal 2004. Sumitomo Metal Industries and Nippon Steel increased the output among major 6 firms. The top maker of Sumitomo Metals’ output increased by 7.1% in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004 expanding the share by 0.9 percentage points. The second maker of JFE Steel increased the output by 2% while the share decreased by 0.7 points. NKK Tubes increased the output by 3.7% while the share dropped by 0.2 points. The forth maker of Sanyo Special Steel increased the output by 1.9% while the share dropped by 0.2 points. Nippon Steel increased the output by 8.4% while the share increased by 0.1 point. Kobe Special Tube increased the output by 8.7% keeping the share. Japanese oil well tube export surged under growing demand for energy worldwide while Japanese tube demand kept firm. Japanese major seamless pipe makers expand the output capacity to meet higher demand. The major 6 makers increased the output in fiscal 2005 from fiscal 2004. Especially Sumitomo Metals increased the output by 79,000 tonnes and the wide jump reduced the other makers’ share. The share gap between top and second makers increased to 39.6 points from 38 points. The output is expected to keep the high level.