Japan 5 Integrated Steels’ Crude Steel Output Decreases by 3.5% in August

Crude steel output by Japanese 5 integrated steel makers decreased by 3.5% to 7.051 million tonnes in August from July, when the steel export decreased due to low market price in Asia. The production maintained above 7 million tonnes for 4 consecutive months. By year-on-year comparison, the output increased by 7% in August and represented plus for 10 straight months. Meanwhile, the plus range narrowed to one digit.

Nippon Steel’s production decreased by 6.3% to 2.702 million tonnes in August from July. JFE Steel’s output decreased by 1.3% to 2.364 million tonnes. The output increased by 15.7% to 1.204 million tonnes at Sumitomo Metal Industries. Kobe Steel’s output decreased by 32.4% to 457,000 tonnes due to blast furnace trouble in Kakogawa iron works. Nisshin Steel’s output increased by 2.8% to 324,000 tonnes.

The 5 makers’ pig iron output decreased by 3.4% to 6.844 million tonnes in August from July. Compared with a year earlier, the production increased by 9.7% and represented plus for 8 straight months.