Japan Special Steel Demand to Increase by 10.8% for Oct-Dec

Monthly averaged Japanese Special Steel demand is estimated at 1.28 million tonnes for October-December 2009, up by 10.8% from July-September while the demand down by 19.9% compared with same period of 2008, announced by Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Tuesday. The demand increases quarter to quarter for 3 straight quarters while the demand decreases year-to-year for 5 quarters in a row.

The domestic demand of special steels increases for October-December from July-September due to increasing automobile output. The domestic demand increases for all special steel items. The demand for export increases for automobile related field and the export of high-tensile steel increases due to the delayed project.

The range of increase of the domestic demand for stainless steel narrows for October-December from July-September when the price trend of nickel peaks while the export demand decreases.