Japan Cu Alloy Product Demand Recovers with Partial Slowdown Signs

Market Research Committee of Tokyo Copper Alloy Products Distributors Association gave market review at a press conference on Tuesday. The committee analyzed the marked demand for copper alloy products keeps steady since February. The distributors’ shipment is stable for copper strip and brass strip while the demand is partially recovering for copper tube. Meanwhile, automotive component demand may turn down in or after April.

Brass bar demand keeps flat in March from February. The demand has recovered for automotive and electronic components as well as home appliances and air cleaners. On the other hand, the demand maintains stagnant from construction related applications. The committee pointed out brass bar demand cannot turn into the strong recovery without the upturn of domestic construction market. As to automotive components, the committee indicated the demand might decline in or after April.

The distributors’ copper tube shipment keeps stagnant. However, there is a positive market factor that domestic shipment of housing air conditioners and heat-pump type water heaters is increasing from a year earlier. Inventory adjustment seems to have progressed at domestic air conditioner makers. Copper tube demand may recover soon.

Copper strip demand is steady especially for digital appliances. However, some sources point out the demand recently shows a sign to settle down from car and semiconductor markets.