Strong Steel Plate Price in Tokyo

Plate steel market price is strong at around 80,000 yen per tonne for standard sized products with 19 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length and at more than 95,000 yen for processed plate around Tokyo. Demand keeps active for shipbuilding, construction and industrial machine, recovering for bridge and building construction as well. Integrated steel makers continue full operation and the rolling lead time becomes longer. Diffusion Index of the supply and demand was plus at 32 point in November, according to Japan Steel Product Dealers Association. The supply and demand was tighter. Some shearing processors are being busy while other processors are not under influence of purchase integration by large users. However, sub shearing processors are getting orders by degrees when construction projects are increasing. With these factors the market price is firm. Some dealers are raising their selling price when middle thick steel plate market is expected to rise. The market price is expected to increase in near future.