As October ends, the leading Japanese EAF-based steel producer Tokyo Steel has continued to announce price increases for its local scrap purchases. This has been the seventh raise done this month, providing a significant support for the Japanese scrap suppliers. But the depreciation of the Japanese yen has also caused an increase of export prices for H2 grade scrap.
The general price range for H2 grade scrap has increased by JPY 500/mt to JPY 38,500-43,500/mt ($249-282/mt) depending on the mill. Takamatsu region still represents the lower end of the general range. Tahara, Okayama, Kyushu and Tokyo Bay plants are now representing the upper end of the general price range. Including the changes in the exchange rates, the dollar-based quotations have moved up by $1/mt as compared to the levels announced on October 25.
Tokyo Steel’s shindachi scrap prices have increased by JPY 500/mt to JPY 39,500-47,500/mt ($255-308/mt) delivered. On dollar basis, lower end of the prices increased by $1/mt. The prices shared in the table below are effective as of November 1.
| Plant | H2 scrap | Shindachi | ||
| Price (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | |
| Tahara | 43,500 | +500 | 45,500 | +500 |
| Nagoya | 43,000 | +500 | - | |
| Okayama | 43,500 | +500 | 44,500 | +500 |
| Kansai | 43,000 | +1,000 | - | |
| Takamatsu | 38,500 | +500 | 39,500 | +500 |
| Kyushu | 43,500 | +500 | 44,500 | +500 |
| Utsunomiya | 42,500 | +500 | 44,000 | +500 |
| Tokyo Bay | 43,500 | +500 | 47,500 | +500 |
$1 = JPY 154.31