Japan Indium Import Surges in June

Japanese indium import increased to 7 times at 35 tonnes in June from a year earlier, according to Ministry of Finance. Japanese major sputtering target makers reduced the purchase a year earlier to reduce the inventory. They increased the purchase volume. The import unit price increased to near double to reflect higher international price under recovering demand. The metallic rare earth import increased to near 2 times at 662 tonnes in June from a year earlier when the demand recovered for motor magnet for hybrid and electric vehicle, eco-friendly appliances and machine tool. The import unit price increased by 38%. The import volume increased for rare earth oxides including cerium, yttrium and lanthanum. The import of potassium pluorotantalate, which is used for capacitor, increased to 3.5 times in June from a year earlier. The import volume increased for lithium carbonate, which is used for rechargeable battery, and antimony, which is used for flame retardants of plastic. The import volume of molybdenum concentrate recovered normal level due to recovering demand for steel making.