Japan Rare Metal Imports Totally Declines in November

Japanese rare earth import decreased by 56.8% to 390 tonnes in November from a year earlier, according to the trade statistics by Ministry of Finance. The import also decreased such for potassium fluorotantalate, strontium carbonate and indium in November, those which are used as electronic materials.

Market demand is declining for rare earths such as neodymium, which is a main material for permanent magnet. Neodymium magnets are used for small motors inside vehicles and home appliances. However, car and electric appliance sales are decreasing due to global economy downturn. Under the circumstance, magnet makers are reducing rare earth procurement.

Potassium fluorotantalate import decreased by 47.8% % in November from a year earlier, which is an intermediate material for tantalum. Tantalum is used for capacitors inside mobile tools such as cell phones. Strontium carbonate import decreased by 78.4%, which is used for ceramic capacitors and ferrites.

Indium import decreased by 13.3%, the main material for transparent conductive coatings of liquid crystal panels. Antimony import decreased by 44.1%, used as fire retardant for plastics of vehicles and home appliances.