Japan Copper Alloy Production Keeps Steady in July

Japanese copper and copper alloy fabricators’ domestic production was quickly estimated at 75,920 tonnes in July, increasing by 21.4% from a year earlier, announced by Japan Copper & Brass Association on Thursday. The production represents year-on-year increase for 9 straight months. The demand for copper and copper alloy products, especially for copper strips, maintains favorable from semiconductors, automobiles and export for Asia.

Copper strip production increased by 26.4% to 23,200 tonnes. The output exceeded 23,183 tonnes in June and hit the yearly highest. Japanese fabricators seem to have kept high productions with order backlogs in order to meet strong demand from semiconductor and automobile related applications.

Phosphor bronze sheet and strip increased by 23% to 4,139 tonnes. The output exceeded 4,000 tonnes after 3 months thanks to the favorable demand for digital appliances and cellular phones at overseas.

Brass bar production increased by 26.2% to 16,942 tonnes and represented year-on-year increase for 8 straight months. The demand has improved for water taps and other residential applications thanks to the increase of house renovations supported by Japanese government’s eco-point program for houses.

Copper tube production increased by 7.8% to 11,650 tonnes. The demand was favorable from residential air conditioners. Meanwhile, the demand still stays low from industrial air conditioners, show cases and freezers.

See an attached table.