Japan molybdenum demand is about 3000 tonnes in March, which is expected to remain stable in April. Although the stainless steel industry's demand for molybdenum decline, steel pipe industry's demand remain powerful.
In April, auto parts used chromium-molybdenum-contained steel's (Mo 0.08-0.3%) demand for molybdenum oxide and ferromolybdenum is expected to stabilize at 600 tonnes. In Q2, most Japanese auto manufactures will decrease automobile production by 10%, but orders of steel-made auto parts will not follow.
In March, Japan steel pipe's demand for molybdenum increased slightly. Some traders said that monthly consumption of molybdenum for steel pipe is about 300-500 tonnes, and steel pipe production containing higher molybdenum is also moving up, meanwhile the stainless steel industry's demand for molybdenum is 200-300 tonnes per month.
Last week, the molybdenum oxide price in the European market has already been lower than US$14 per pound molybdenum. South Korea's POSCO steel plant invited tenders of 100 tonnes of ferromolybdenum, creating a sensation in market.
(To contact the reporter on this story: tongmei@steelhome.cn or 86-21-50585358) |
