The leading Japanese EAF-based steel producer Tokyo Steel has cut its domestic scrap purchase prices by JPY 500-1,000/mt, for its Okayama, Takamatsu and Kyushu plants. The price revision only caused a drop on the lower end of the Japanese yen-based general price range, but caused an increase in all dollar-based quotations. The Japanese yen has gained strength against the US dollar since April 9, moving from JPY 147.35 to today’s JPY 142.69 against the dollar.
Tokyo Steel’s general range for H2 grade scrap price has declined by JPY 500/mt on the lower end to the range of JPY 40,000-43,000/mt ($280-301/mt) depending on the mill. The scrap purchase price for Tahara still represents the upper end of the price range. The dollar-based prices have increased by $5-9/mt as compared to April 9 due to the fluctuation of the Japanese yen against the US dollar.
Meanwhile, shindachi scrap prices of Tokyo Steel have also moved down by JPY 500/mt on the lower end to JPY 41,000-45,000/mt ($287-315/mt) delivered, up by $5-10/mt on US dollar basis. The prices shared in the table below are effective as of April 18.
| Plant | H2 scrap | Shindachi | ||
| Price (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | |
| Tahara | 43,000 | 0 | 45,000 | 0 |
| Nagoya | 42,000 | 0 | - | - |
| Okayama | 42,000 | -500 | 43,000 | -500 |
| Kansai | 42,000 | 0 | - | - |
| Takamatsu | 40,000 | -500 | 41,000 | -500 |
| Kyushu | 42,000 | -1,000 | 43,000 | -1,000 |
| Utsunomiya | 41,000 | 0 | 42,500 | 0 |
$1 = JPY 142.69