Japan Copper Alloy Products Output Keeps Steady in February

Japanese copper and copper alloy fabricators’ production totaled 70,100 tonnes in February, plus by 1% from a year earlier, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The production exceeded 70,000 tonnes for the first time since November 2010. Meanwhile, the production might be negatively impacted by Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake in and after March.

Copper strip production represented year-to-year minus for 3 months in a row until February while exceeded 20,000 tonnes for the first time since November 2010. Copper strip is mainly used for leadframe and connector pin. Semiconductor related demand improved in Asia.

Brass bar production represented year-to-year plus for 15 straight months and reached 16,000 tonnes for the first time since September 2010. The demand maintained stable for water taps and gas appliances. Copper tube production also kept steady due to the users’ low inventory after hot summer in 2010.

On the other hand, phosphor bronze sheet and strip production represented two-digit year-to-year minus for 4 straight months, mainly used as connector pins for consumer electronics. The demand turned weak mainly for flat televisions after Japanese government’s eco-point incentive ended for home appliances.