Nippon Steel Keeps Top Share of Electrogalvanizing Output in F2008

Japanese electrogalvanizing steel sheet output decreased by 21.3% to 2.75 million tonnes in fiscal 2008 (Apr08-Mar09) from fiscal 2007. Japanese major sheet makers decreased the output by double digit when electric appliance makers shifted to use non-chrome steel sheet, automobile makers shifted to use galvanizing alloy sheet for body panel and the demand for appliance dropped rapidly due to economic downturn since the last half of fiscal 2008.

Japanese top electrogalvanizing sheet maker was Nippon Steel in fiscal 2008. No.2 was JFE Steel, no.3 was Kobe Steel, no.4 was Sumitomo Metal Industries and no.5 was Nisshin Steel. Their ranking didn’t change in fiscal 2008 from last year. Especially, Kobe Steel and Nisshin Steel increased the share. Both companies’ reduction rate was 19.4% and 13.9% in fiscal 2008 from last year, lower than other steel makers. Kobe Steel’s share increased by 0.5 percentage points to 18.8%. Nisshin Steel’s share increased by 0.8 points to 9.0%.

Nippon Steel reduced the output by 22.9% in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007 and was below 1 million tonnes. The firm’ share decreased by 0.7 points to 36.3%. JFE Steel reduced the output by 21.5% to 620,000 tonnes. The firm’s share decreased by 0.1 points to 22.4%.

Sumitomo Metal Industries reduced the output by 25.5% to 320,000 tonnes. The firm’s share decreased by 0.7 points to 11.6%.