Japanese Output of Nonferrous Metal Products Recovers in November

Japanese makers’ output of nonferrous metal products represented year-to-year increase for 10 items among 20 items in November 2009, according to the statistics by Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry. The main factor is that most items’ production significantly decreased in November 2008 along global economy deterioration.

Output of copper alloy products increased by 0.6% to 69,968 tonnes in November from a year earlier. The output represented year-to-year plus for the first time in 16 months. Copper strip production was active mainly for export to Asian countries. Copper strips are used as connector pins and leadframes for electric appliances, cars and semiconductors. On the other hand, copper tube production maintained stagnant due to low demand from construction market.

Aluminium wire and cable production increased by 2.4 times to 4,765 tonnes. Domestic demand for aluminium cable kept high thanks to Japanese power companies’ stable investment to construct or renew power transmission and distribution lines.

Electrolytic copper production decreased by 3.4% to 122,063 tonnes. Domestic smelters continue output reductions. Another factor was furnace refinement at Pan Pacific Copper’s Saganoseki smelter in Oita Prefecture.