NSSC says the cut is due to lower LME nickel prices in June - which had dropped by $1.19/lb ($2,623/t) to $8.79/lb ($19,373/t) - while the increase for ferritic CRC is to reflect higher prices of raw materials like iron ore and coal in the July-September quarter.

Costs of iron ore and coal were only taken into account for the ferritic grade because NSSC produces 400-series CRC at its Yawata works in Kyushu using blast furnace-produced pig iron, as Steel Business Briefing reported. NSSC takes ferro-chrome costs into account in its alloy surcharge. The company left the surcharge unchanged for July shipments.

The adjustment takes NSSC’s July shipment price for austenitic CRC below 2mm to ¥350,000/t ($3,979/t), at base price of ¥290,000/t and alloy surcharge of ¥60,000/t. Prices for ferritic CRC below 2mm rises to ¥265,000/t ($3,018/t), at base price of ¥245,000/t and alloy surcharge of ¥20,000/t.      不銹鋼捲   不锈钢卷 stainless steel coil

NSSC says anticipatory buying from higher prices generated by some domestic customers has since calmed. The steelmaker adds that market stock levels are gradually increasing, and it will monitor market conditions and produce according to demand.

Stainless stocks at Japanese distributors and coil centres were at 92,970 t at end-May, up 4.6% from end-April, according to the Japan Stainless Coil Center Association (JSCA).

Source: SBB   不銹鋼鋼板 不锈钢板stainless steel sheet