Copper Coil Delivery Delays from Tight Supply

Rolled copper makers’ delay of copper and brass coil delivery tighten the supply in the dealers’ market. The makers try to increase the shipment for semiconductor and automotive connector under higher demand while the makers cannot meet order from the dealers. The lead time for the dealers is more than 2 months.

The delivery lead time is more than 3 months for high functional connector products including copper beryllium alloy strip and copper titanium alloy strip. The lead time is also more than 2 months for low grade brass strip.

While Japanese rolled copper makers’ deliveries delay, low grade items import increases from South Korea. Brass coil import is increasing after the import increased to more than 1,000 tonnes in September. The import was 76 tonnes in April.

Furukawa Electric and Mitsubishi Shindoh plan to start the large capacity facilities in spring. The delivery time is expected to shorten to normal level.