Japan stainless steel products output rose 7% in Mar 2015

Author: Paul Ploumis
09 Jun 2015 Last updated at 03:25:27 GMT
TOKYO (Scrap Monster): According to the latest statistics released by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the country’s output of stainless steel products increased sharply during the month of March this year, upon comparison with the month before.

As per data, Japan’s total production of stainless steel products during the month of March ’15 was 248,684 tons. This is higher by 7% when compared with the output during the previous month. The country’s stainless steel production during February this year had totaled 232,415 tons. On the other hand, the stainless steel production during Mar ‘15 was down 7.2% when compared with the production during the same month a year ago.

Out of the 248,684 tons, chromium-based stainless steel output totaled 118,424 tons, nearly 47.6% of the total output. The monthly output of chromium-based stainless steel products was up by 9.1% in comparison with the output a month ago. Cr-type totaled 99,437 tons, whereas Cr-Mo-type accounted for the remaining 18,987 tons.

Nickel-based stainless steel output constituted the balance 130,260 tons, accounting for 52.38% of the total stainless steel output. The monthly output of nickel-based stainless steel jumped higher by 5.9% in comparison with the output a month ago.

The country’s stock of stainless steel products declined by 3.1% from the prior month to 116,398 tons during Mar ‘15. Other Special purpose steel inventory totaled 2,678 tons, declining sharply by 49.10% over the previous month.