Japan Ferroalloy Consumption Rises by 29.2% in 2010

Japanese ferroalloy consumption for steel making increased by 29.2% to 2.282 million tonnes in 2010 from 2009, which increased for the first time in 3 years, according to ferroalloy makers’ group. The consumption significantly increased from less than 2 million tonnes in 2009 while the consumption was 9.0% lower than the peak in 2007. Japanese ferroalloy output increased by 26.8% to 1.066 million tonnes in 2010 from 2009, which increased for the first time in 3 years. The output recovered 1 million tonnes for the first time in 3 years and 3.8% higher than 2007 level. The ferroalloy demand would decrease in 2011 when domestic raw steel output could decrease under the major earthquake damage and limited power availability.

Japanese ferromanganese consumption for steel making increased to more than 500,000 tonnes in 2010 for the first time since the peak in 2008. The consumption decreased by 4.5% in 2010 from 2008. The silicomanganese consumption increased for the first time in 2 years while the output was 22.2% lower than 2008 level when Japanese electric furnace steel makers’ raw steel output in 2010 was around 20% lower than the level in 2008.

Japanese ferroalloy import increased by 79.6% to 1.848 million tonnes in 2010 from 2009, which increased for the first time in 2 years. The import was 16.8% lower than 2008 level. The ferroalloy export increased by 3.1% to 187,000 tonnes in 2010 from 2009, which increased for 2 years in a row.