Japan 5 Integrated Steels’ Output Recovers near Peak in F 2010

Japanese 5 integrated steel makers increased raw steel output by 14.2% to 86.11 million tonnes in fiscal 2010 ended March 2011 from fiscal 2009, which increased to more than 80 million tonnes for the first time in 3 years. The output was 96% of 86.96 million tonnes of the peak in fiscal 2007. Output increase rate of 5 integrated steels was double-digit due to higher export for Asia and firm domestic demand for industries including automobile.

Nippon Steel’s raw steel output increased by 17.7% to 32.99 million tonnes in fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009 when the output at Kimitsu works and Oita works increased to near 10 million tonnes.

JFE Steel increased the raw steel output by 11.5% to 28.80 million tonnes in fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009. The output increased by 10.5% to 20.04 million tonnes at West Japan works, which increased to more than 20 million tonnes for the first time in 3 years.

Sumitomo Metal Industries increased the raw steel output by 10.7% to 12.9 million tonnes in fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009 and Kobe Steel increased the output by 15.7% to 7.6 million tonnes. Nisshin Steel increased the output by 15.1% to 3.82 million tonnes.

Japanese 5 integrated steel makers decreased raw steel output by 4.2% to 7.05 million tonnes in March from a year earlier due to impact of the major earthquake. The output decreased by 63.7% to 250,000 tonnes at Sumitomo Metals’ Kashima works due to the damage on facilities. The output decreased by 10.6% to 800,000 tonnes at Nippon Steel’s Kimitsu works due to blast furnace suspension after the quake. The output decreased by 16.9% to 650,000 tonnes at JFE Steel’s East Japan Works. The 5 integrated steels’ daily output decreased to 227,290 tonnes in March from 246,250 tonnes in February.

Japanese 5 integrated steels’ pig iron output increased by 14.4% to 82.97 million tonnes in fiscal 2010 from fiscal 2009. The output decreased by 3.3% to 6.78 million tonnes in March from a year earlier. The daily output decreased to 218,742 tonnes in March from 234,786 tonnes in February.