Japan Steels to Offer Tinplate Hike for Asia

Japanese integrated steel makers will offer to increase the export price of tinplate for Asian market for October-December shipment at coming negotiation in early September. They try to increase the price as July-September under strong demand. The price could increase gradually depending on the areas though the steel makers still study for export volume and offer price. Baoshan Iron and Steel already announced 100 yuan per tonne hike for October-December shipment after drop in July-September. Asian tinplate demand is firm with abundant harvest of pineapple in Indonesia and the demand is also firm in Thailand, Vietnam and Philippine. The demand is firm for tuna can in the area. The tinplate supply is still tight despite of expansion in China due to shutdown by POSCO of South Korea and BlueScope Steel of Australia. Japanese steel makers try to pass the higher cost for tin ingot, which increased to around US$ 16,000 per tonne at London Metal Exchange from US$ 11,000 at the beginning of the year, subsidiary materials, ferrous scrap and freight.