Steel Plate Demand Shows Recovery in Tokyo

Steel plate demand seems recovering for bridge and steel frame in Japan toward the half year from September 2006 after the severe stagnancy. Shearing processor source said steel plate demand for bridge and steel frame hit the lowest level in May in these 20 years, while the demand is firm for shipbuilding and construction machines. With the sign of the demand recovery, the rolling lead time is lengthening at steel plate makers. Market price could also rebound soon, though which stays low for material plate.Market price of steel plate is around 79,000-80,000 yen per tonne for products with 19 millimeters thick, 5 feet width and 10 feet length in Tokyo. The price is 95,000-100,000 yen per tonne for processed plate.