Japan Copper Alloy Strip Production Slow Down in December

Japanese copper and copper alloy fabricators’ production in December 2010 was quickly estimated at 68,820 tonnes, up by 2.1% from a year earlier, according to Japan Copper & Brass Association. The figure represented year-on-year increase for 14 straight months but the range of increase hit the narrowest since January 2010. The market demand is slowing down.

The figures have recently turned year-on-year increase especially for strip products. Copper strip production was quickly estimated at 19,650 tonnes in December, down by 6% from a year earlier. The production represented the first year-on-year decrease in 14 months and below 20,000 tonnes for the first time in 16 months. The demand seems to have decreased due to inventory adjustment in semiconductor industry and output downturn in automobile and digital appliance industries.

Brass strip production is estimated to decrease by 10.1% to 8,596 tonnes in December from a year earlier, which is used for cars and electronic devices. The figure represents year-on-year decline for 3 months in a row. Phosphor bronze sheet and strip are also estimated to decrease by 15.3% to 3,345 tonnes, decreasing for 2 months in a row.

On the other hand, copper tube production is estimated to increase by 27.5% to 12,030 tonnes. The volume would exceed 12,000 tonnes for 3 straight months along air conditioner makers’ output expansions.