Mix Scrap Export Price Keeps Steady, Tokyo

Market price of exporting mix scrap maintains steady around Tokyo. The demand maintains active from Chinese importers while domestic scrap generation keeps very low. Japanese exporters can ship scrap as much as they collected.

Local scrap exporters are purchasing non-shredded brass based mix scrap, with relatively less iron and stainless steel, at 200-215 yen per kg. Some pay as high as above 220 yen. Copper based scrap price is supported by stable condition of overseas electrolytic copper market. The exporters pay 120-130 yen per kg for thin electric wire scrap with insulator (containing copper at 40-42%).

Meanwhile, the exporters pay 20-30 yen per kg for non-shredded mix scrap with plastic. The price keeps flat when ferrous scrap price is weakening.

Chinese strong demand seems backed up by governmental economic stimulus measures. Japanese scrap exporter source, who operates a subsidiary in China, said the governmental measures have not aroused actual demand yet. However, the strong demand is expected to continue with an expectation that scrap price would surge up. Japanese mix scrap export could keep steady as long as domestic scrap generation maintains low.