Strong Steel Plate Price in Tokyo

Plate steel market price is strong at around 80,000 yen per tonne for standard size with 19 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length and at more than 95,000 yen for processed plate around Tokyo.The demand keeps active. Japanese integrated steel makers continue full operation of steel plate lines and their rolling lead times are being longer. However, the operation is slower than expected at shearing processors for building construction under influence of purchase integration by large users.Supply keeps tight due to decrease of market inventory. Supply and demand seem to sustain the balance for a while. Some users alternate middle thick hot-rolled steel sheet to 9-12 millimeters thick.Some shearing processors raised their reselling prices following price hike by Japanese major trading companies, Hanwa and Sumikin Bussan for middle thick hot rolled steel sheet. Wholesalers market is under slower condition because demand for small- and middle-sized building construction is not active.