Kobe Steel Increases Casting Pig Iron Price by 15,000 yen/T

Kobe Steel increased the price of pig iron for castings by 15,000 yen per tonne for the shipment in April. The firm increased the price for the first time since July 2008.

Steelmaking material cost inevitably rockets in fiscal 2010 started April from fiscal 2009 and the profitability of Kobe Steel would worsen. The firm increased the price to ensure a profit for stable supply while the price of ferrous scrap, the main material of the castings, is increasing since the beginning of the year.

Kobe Steel indicates the firm could raise pig iron price more when the firm has not finished the material price negotiation and the material cost may increase more.