JX Nippon Mining & Metals Plans Steady 2H Rolled Cu Output

JX Nippon Mining & Metals announced on Friday the firm plans to increase copper fabricated products output by 5% to 3,680 tonnes per months in second half of fiscal 2010 ending March 2011 from same period of fiscal 2009. The output is in line with the level in first half of fiscal 2010, which was the highest half year output in 5 years. The firm expects demand recovery in and after January 2011 while the operation decreased after October.

The firm plans to make 1,750 tonnes of phosphor bronze and 700 tonnes of brass in the second half, which is 2-10% lower than same period of fiscal 2009. The firm plans to increase the output by 25-40% for other items at 600 tonnes for corson alloy, 400 tonnes for rolled copper foil and 100 tonnes for titanium copper. The firm plans to increase the output of titanium-copper alloy including NKT 322, of which demand is increasing to automobile related users.

The demand of copper fabricated products decreased for automobile related applications in September due to the end of subsidy for eco-friendly car by Japanese government. The demand is also weak for flat television. However, the firm expects the copper products’ demand increases in January-March 2011 when the inventory adjustment is expected to end until the end of 2010.