Japan Stainless Scrap Export Records 200,000 tonnes for 6 straight years

Japanese stainless steel scrap export was 219,222 tonnes in 2009, which represented more than 200,000 tonnes for 6 years in a row, while the export decreased by 19% from 2008. The export was more than 30,000 tonnes in the peak in September 2009. However, the export decreased to less than 10,000 tonnes per month in August and September.

The stainless scrap export decreased by 18% to 106,349 tonnes to South Korea in 2009 from 2008 while the export to China decreased by 18.4% to 99,360 tonnes. The export to China was only about 900 tonnes in 2000. However, the steel makers in China increased the scrap import to expand the steel production. The export was more than 100,000 tonnes per year in 2006-2008. The export to China decreased to less than 100,000 tonnes in 2009 for the first time since 2005.