Japanese production of hot rolled special steel products will increase by 4.1% to 5.692 million tonnes in October-December from same period of 2007, according to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The output is 0.9% lower than July-September period and 1.9% higher than 5.588 million tonnes of demand in October-December estimated by METI.

 

METI expects the output will increase in October-December from same period of previous year for 5 quarters in a row while the output decreases in quarter to quarter for the first time in 2 quarters due to slower activity of automobile and industrial and construction machinery makers. The ministry expects the output increases by 3% to 4.125 million tonnes for domestic market and by 7.3% to 1.567 million tonnes for export in October-December from same period of 2007.

 

METI expects the output increases to record 22.823 million tonnes in 2008, which is 6.2% higher than record in 2007. The output keeps renewing the record since 2002. –Japan Metal Bulletin 3