Copper Scrap Exporters in Kanto Concerns on High Radiation Dose

Copper scrap exporters around Tokyo stopped scrap procurement shipped for China on Wednesday. Radiation dose represented higher than normal level in Kanto area on and after Tuesday, which may be affected by troubles in Fukushima Dai-Ichi Nuclear Power Plant. Some exporters cautiously suspended scrap procurement for China, since China’s inspection on imported metal scrap is recently strengthened for radiation dose. Another background was sharp price down of electrolytic copper and copper scrap.

Chinese authority has recently strengthened inspections on imported metal scrap along the country’s environmental standard. The authority requires metal scrap exporters to possess radiation detection device when exporters apply to exporting license along the latest restriction.

Japan China Commodities Inspection Company (JCIC), Tokyo headed company to inspect scrap shipped for China, said that air radiation dose in Kanto area exceeded China’s permissible level as of inspection in some reported cases. JCIC explained the scrap may be rejected on arriving cargo inspection at Chinese quays even without any quality problems.

One scrap exporter in Chiba commented it is unclear at present whether China’s authority approves or disapproves scrap import but the firm cautiously passed exporting scrap procurement on Wednesday. Another exporter also suspended exporting scrap procurement on Wednesday though the firm executed shipment on Tuesday.

Dropdown of electrolytic copper market price also weakened Japanese exporters’ material procurement. Chinese importers lowered scrap purchasing price along market price down of electrolytic copper. Japanese exporters’ purchasing price became below 400 yen per kilogram for non-shredded brass based mix scrap, with relatively less iron and stainless steel, as of Tuesday. The price was higher than 420 yen in late February.