TEX reported that crude stainless steel production in September 2011 by Japanese stainless steel mills was 290,687 tonnes, down by 8.0% MoM from 316,062 tonnes recorded in August 2011.

To note is that curtailment at the two plants of Nippon Steel and Sumikin Stainless Steel, at Hikari (36,966 tonnes in September vs 39,707 tonnes in August) and at Yawata (61,908 tonnes in September vs 90,503 tonnes in August) was the reason for the drop.

Production during the first nine months of 2011 was 2.744 million tonnes, up by 3.4% YoY.

(Sourced from TEX Report Limited)