Japan Ferrous Scrap Consumption Decreases by 34% in 2009

The amount of Japanese ferrous scrap consumption decreased for the first time in 8 years since 2001 in 2009, which decreased to 34.935 million tonnes by 33.9% in 2009 from 2008, according to The Japan Ferrous Raw Material Association. Domestic steel makers reduced crude steel output due to low domestic demand.

The amount of ferrous scrap consumption decreased to 9.882 million tonnes by 30% by converter in 2009 from 2008, 19.906 million tonnes by 35.2% by electric furnace and 4.334 million tonnes by 34.3% by casting.

The amount of the consumption continued to increase until December 2009 from March 2009, which kept over 3 million tonnes since July.

The amount of ferrous scrap supply decreased to 34.469 million tonnes by 35.8% in 2009 from the previous year. The supply volume decreased to 11.235 million tonnes by 28.3% from steel makers and 23.233 million tonnes by 38.9% from domestic market.