JFE Steel Maintains Plate Top Share in F2009

Japanese electric zinc coated steel sheet output decreased to 2.39 million tonnes by 12.9% in fiscal 2009 form 2008 when appliance makers reduced the output due to financial crisis in 2008. The output is downward trend when appliance makers use chrome free steel sheet and automobile makers uses galvanized alloy steel sheet. The sheet output is recovering from the last half of fiscal 2009 at ended March 2010.

Integrated steel makers’share positions, Nippon steel, JFE Steel, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Kobe Steel and Nisshin Steel, doesn’t change in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008. JFE Steel’s output decreased by 6.9% while the share increased by 1.6 points to 24.0%.

Kobe Steel’s share increased to 19.0% up by 0.2 points.

Nippon Steel’s steel output decreased by 13.2% in fiscal 2009 from 2008 and the share decreased to 36.1% by 0.2 points. Sumitomo Metal Industries decreased the output by 21.2% and the share decreased to 10.5% by 1.1 points when automobile makers alternatives from other material. Nisshin Steel’s steel output decreased by 16.9% and the share decreased to 8.6% by 0.4 points.