Feb. 10 -- Japan’s imports of refined tin increased by 60% last year to 35,266 tonnes, not far short of the all-time record of 36,883 tonnes imported in 2006. The rapid growth in imports reflects reviving demand from the main applications, as well as re-stocking.

In an analysis of the customs data, Mitsubishi Corporation Unimetals identified Indonesia as again the main supplier, accounting for 46% of imports. Although the volume of tin received from Indonesia rose by 20% to 16,281 tonnes, its market share was eroded as a result of a more than doubling of imports from both Thailand and Malaysia. Imports from Thailand, at 11,597 tonnes, accounted for a third of the market, while Malaysia’s tonnage rose to 5,109 tonnes, or 14% of the market.