Japan Major 5 Steels’ Raw Steel Output Hits First Rise in 14 Months

Raw Steel output by Japanese 5 integrated steel makers increased by 5.9% to 6.997 million tonnes in November from a year earlier. The output showed year-to-year increase for the first time in 14 months and increased to about 90% of the peak in April-September 2009 when the export and the shipment for automobile increased. The monthly output increased by 0.7% from the year-high in October. The output per day increased to 233,000 tonnes from 224,000 tonnes in October.

Nippon Steel’s raw steel output increased by 13.0% to 2.784 million tonnes in November from a year earlier when Kimitsu works increased the output. JFE Steel’s raw steel output increased by 10.8% to 2.3 million tonnes while Sumitomo Metal Industries’ raw steel output decreased by 9.3% to 1.009 million tonnes. The raw steel output decreased by 4.1% to 638,000 tonnes for Kobe Steel and decreased by 8.9% to 266,000 tonnes for Nisshin Steel.

Pig iron output by 5 integrated steel makers increased by 1.8% to 6.66 million tonnes in November from a year earlier, which increased for the first time in 14 months. The monthly output increased by 0.2% from year-high in October. The output per day increased to 222,000 tonnes from 214,000 tonnes in October and increased to around 90% of the recent peak.