Reuters reported that Japan's rolled copper output fell 6.1% in June from a year earlier hit by sluggish sales of air conditioners and weak demand for chips on the global market in the wake of a European credit woes.

The Japan Copper and Brass Association said that June production fell to 67,953 tonnes after seasonal adjustment in its 12th consecutive YoY decline. The figure represents increase of 8.7% from May.

The association said that rolled copper is used mainly in semiconductor lead frames, connectors in electronics parts and cars, and pipes for air conditioners.

Sluggish demand for PCs and smartphones on the export market is affecting the output. The industry is looking for annual production of 825,300 tonnes or an increase of 2.4%. The group usually revises the forecast in September to reflect market conditions.

Source - Reuters

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