Japan Crude Steel Output Increases in August

Japanese crude steel production increased by 2.2% to 10.18 million tonnes in August from a year ago, which exceeded 10 million tonnes for 6 consecutive months, announced Japan Iron & Steel Federation on Thursday. The production represented year-on-year increase for 27 consecutive months and hit the record high as August since 10.01 million tonnes marked in 1974. Japanese integrated steel makers continued high level outputs thanks to strong demand mainly from manufacturing industry. Converter steel production increased by 0.5% to 7.733 million tonnes in August from a year earlier, which showed y/y growth for 27 straight months. Electric furnace steel production increased by 8% to 2.448 million tonnes, which represented y/y up for 3 months. The production of ordinary steel ingot increased by 1.5% to 7.971 million tonnes in August from a year ago. Specialty steel ingot increased by 4.9% to 2.21 million tonnes. Hot-rolled steel products increased by 0.3% to 8.916 million tonnes. Hot-rolled ordinary steels slightly increased to 7.186 million tonnes, long products of which decreased by 3.4% to 1.868 million tonnes while flat products of which increased by 0.8% to 5.228 million tonnes. Wide strip, which represents the largest volume in total hot-rolled ordinary steels, increased by 1.5% to 4.049 million tonnes. Steel plate increased by 0.7% to 1.115 million tonnes. Small bar decreased by 7.4% to 878,000 tonnes. H-beam increased by 2.7% to 390,000 tonnes. Hot-rolled specialty steels increased by 1.6% to 1.73 million tonne.