Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube Supplies Thai Product for Japan

Japan’s largest copper tube maker, Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube launched the import from its Thai subsidiary to supply Japanese users when the supply remains tight in Japan. The firm tries to increase the supply to the users to 200-300 tonnes per month mainly for low grade products.

The Thai subsidiary’s output was 26,000 tonnes in 2010 while the subsidiary has increased annual production capacity to 30,000 tonnes by the end of the year. The subsidiary plans to increase the capacity to 33,000 tonnes this fiscal year.

On the other hand, Kobelco & Materials Copper Tube’s domestic output has been high at above 5,000 tonnes per month due to strong air conditioner demand since 2010. The firm not fully supplies enough volume to domestic users even if the firm reduces the export by 70% to around 150 tonnes compared with year earlier level. The firm increases the supply to the users from Thailand.