The leading Japanese EAF-based steel producer Tokyo Steel has increased its domestic scrap purchase prices by JPY 1,000-1,500/mt, again for its Tahara and Nagoya plants. As SteelOrbis reported on April 2, Japan-based steel producer Chubu Steel Plate recently announced the resumption of its steelmaking operations at its Nagoya plant, following the closure of the plant after an accident on January 21. Tokyo Steel’s price increases for Nagoya and Tahara are explained by the need to secure scrap tonnages.
Tokyo Steel’s general range for H2 grade scrap price has remained stable in the range of JPY 40,500-43,000/mt ($275-292/mt) depending on the mill. The scrap purchase price for Tahara is now at the same level as for the Kyushu region, representing the upper end of the price range. The dollar-based quotations have decreased by $3/mt as compared to April 3 due to the fluctuation of the Japanese yen against the US dollar.
Meanwhile, shindachi scrap prices of Tokyo Steel have moved up by JPY 1,000/mt on the upper end to JPY 41,500-45,000/mt ($282-305/mt) delivered, down by $2/mt on US dollar basis on the lower end and up by $4/mt on the upper end. The prices shared in the table below are effective as of April 9.
| Plant | H2 scrap | Shindachi | ||
| Price (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | Price change (JPY/mt) | |
| Tahara | 43,000 | +1,000 | 45,000 | +1,000 |
| Nagoya | 42,000 | +1,500 | - | - |
| Okayama | 42,500 | 0 | 43,500 | 0 |
| Kansai | 42,000 | 0 | - | - |
| Takamatsu | 40,500 | 0 | 41,500 | 0 |
| Kyushu | 43,000 | 0 | 44,000 | 0 |
| Utsunomiya | 41,000 | 0 | 42,500 | 0 |
$1 = JPY 147.35
