Copper Alloy Products’ Demand Turns Weak for Automobiles, Tokyo

Market Research Committee of Tokyo Copper Alloy Products Distributors Association gave market review at a press conference on Wednesday. The committee analyzed the market demand for copper alloy fabricated products is currently slowing down. The demand condition turned unforeseeable for automobiles although car related applications strongly led copper alloy products’ demand. Meanwhile, the demand maintains inactive from construction market.

The committee explained the distributors’ brass bar shipment is stable for plants and electronic components. However, car makers recently seem to enter output adjustment and brass bar demand is concerned to decline. The demand from construction and resident market still keeps weak.

Copper strip shipment is steady. Especially copper alloy adoption is increasing for LED applications. Meanwhile, the demand is slowing down from other applications including cars, semiconductors and consumer electronics. Some automakers seem to advance production schedules in June-July. Consequently the demand condition is expected to be sustained until September.

The committee explained the distributors’ shipment of phosphor bronze sheet and strip also keeps stable but recently represents adjustment mood. The demand is weakening in domestic market. On the contrary, the demand keeps very strong for European market and some copper product users are in full operations. The demand related to office automation equipment is also recovering.