Japan Air Conditioner Makers in Evaluation China Cu Tube

Some of Japanese air conditioner makers seem to be examining adoption of Chinese inner grooved copper tubes. Japanese copper tube import from China has expanded since last year but most of the import has been plain tubes without inner grooves adopted to outside of air conditioning machines. Inner grooved copper tubes are used inside air conditioning machines. It seems that Japanese air conditioner makers started evaluation of Chinese inner grooved copper tubes to diversify risks of supply-chain troubles.

One Japanese copper alloy product dealer explained import of inner grooved copper tube from China is seemed in these one or two months. The dealer said the volume is still not large and Japanese air conditioner makers are evaluating quality and availability of the products.

An official of Japanese major copper alloy maker analyzed air conditioner makers are trying to diversify component suppliers in several countries when supply-chain troubles emerged by the Japan Earthquake and Thai flood. Japanese air conditioner makers have used Japanese inner grooved copper tubes so far.

Another background is supposed that Hitachi Cable and Furukawa Electric among Japanese four major copper tube makers plan to shrink their productions within fiscal 2011 ending in March 2012. Copper tube supply maintained tight in Japan for more than a year until August 2011 despite of continuous full productions by four major makers. In the next demand season in 2012, the supply might tighten again if Hitachi Cable and Furukawa Electric implement downsizing.

Meanwhile, the copper alloy product dealer pointed out product quality and stable supply are concerned about Chinese inner grooved tubes. Most concerned sources consider Japanese air conditioner makers would not use Chinese inner grooved copper tubes for energy-saving type high grade air conditioners, for which Japanese consumers’ demand has recently increased. The adoption is likely to be regulated into low price models in a short term.