Japan Ferrous Scrap Usage Drops by 13.7% in F2008

Japanese ferrous scrap consumption decreased to 45.931 million tonnes by 13.7% in fiscal 2008 at ended March 2009, decreased for the first time in 7 years. Because domestic steel makers are continuing to reduce the output substantially after last autumn, the consumption decreased. There is high possible the consumption decreases moreover in fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008 when steel makers’ output isn’t expected to recover.

The converters’ scrap consumption decreased by 5.8% to 12.178 million tonnes in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007, according to Japan Ferrous Raw Materials Association. The electric furnaces’ consumption decreased by 16.7% to 26.725 million tonnes. The scrap consumption by castings and other industry decreased by 18.0% to 5.72 million tonnes.

The scrap consumption increased to 14.28 million tonnes in April-June 2008 from the same period of last year, and 13.56 million tonnes in July-September 2008 from the same period of last year when active steel output maintained. But the consumption decreased to 11.42 million tonnes in October-December 2008 from the same period of last year, and 6.651 million tonnes in January-March 2009 from the same period of last year.