Japan's stainless steel products output rose 3% in Dec '14

TOKYO (Scrap Monster): According to the latest government data, the Japanese output of stainless steel products increased marginally during the month of December last year.

As per data, Japan’s total production of stainless steel products during the month of December was 225,138 tons. This is higher by 2.5% when compared with the output during the previous month. The country’s stainless steel production during November last year had totaled 219,621 tons. On the other hand, the stainless steel production during Dec ‘14 was down 11.0% when compared with the production during the same month a year ago.

Out of the 225,138 tons, chromium-based stainless steel output totaled 106,964 tons, nearly 47.5% of the total output. The monthly output of chromium-based stainless steel products declined by 5.8% in comparison with the output a month ago.

Nickel-based stainless steel output constituted the balance 118,174 tons, accounting for 43% of the total stainless steel output. The monthly output of nickel-based stainless steel jumped higher by 11.4% in comparison with the output a month ago.

The country’s stock of stainless steel products increased by 4.5% from the prior month to 120,070 tons during Dec ‘14. Other Special purpose steel inventory totaled 4,666 tons, declining by 10.4% over the previous month.