Japan 5 Integrated Steels Keeps High Level Output in February

Japanese 5 integrated steel makers increased raw steel output by 4.7% to 6.895 million tonnes in February from a year earlier. The output decreased by 10.0% from January due to fewer operation days. The daily output slightly decreased by 0.4% to 246,250 tonnes in February from January. The output significantly decreases in March when major 3 steel works in eastern Japan reduced the operation rate since March 11 due to direct and indirect impact by the major earthquake.

Nippon Steel’s raw steel output increased by 3.6% to 2.642 million tonnes in February from a year earlier. JFE Steel increased the output by 6.4% to 2.315 million tonnes and Sumitomo Metal Industries increased the output by 12.6% to 1.102 million tonnes while Kobe Steel decreased the output by 6.5% to 544,000 tonnes.

Japanese 5 integrated steel makers increased pig iron output by 4.8% to 6.574 million tonnes in February from a year earlier. The output decreased by 10.6% from January. However, the averaged daily output decreased by 1.0% to 234,786 tonnes in February from January.