Japan's copper output increases in FY'25 on strong fabrication demand

• Downstream production reaches 0.67 mnt, up 4%
  
  
• Fabrication output marks second straight yearly rise
  
  

Japan Metal Daily: According to preliminary data released by the Japan Copper Drawing Association, Japans copper fabrication industry sustained its recovery momentum in FY25, with total downstream production reaching 0.67 mnt, up 4% y-o-y, marking the second consecutive year of growth, supported by rising demand from AI technologies and expanding data center infrastructure.

Across product categories, trends remained mixed but closely aligned with end-use demand. Copper bars led growth, increasing 7.3% to 0.25 mnt supported by strong demand from AI servers, high-performance computing, and data centers requiring superior conductivity and heat dissipation. In contrast, copper plates declined 2.4% to 10,588 tons, while copper pipes fell 0.8% to 0.08 mnt, reflecting weaker activity in construction, plumbing, HVAC, and broader industrial fabrication. Meanwhile, copper rods and copper wire recorded marginal growth of 0.8% and 0.06%, respectively, indicating stable but cautious demand from electrical and wiring applications.

The brass segment showed mixed yet overall positive performance. Brass bars rose 9% to 0.08 mnt, while brass plates surged 13.7%, driven by improved demand in industrial fabrication and electrical fittings. Brass rods grew modestly by 1.1% to 0.14 mnt, reflecting steady manufacturing demand. However, brass wire declined 6% to 20,889 tons, and brass tubes remained nearly flat, down 0.2% to 4,912 tons, indicating subdued activity in traditional electrical and plumbing-related sectors. Among other materials, bronze slats and bronze rods posted healthy gains of 4.6% and 5.8%, respectively.

The demand outlook is further reinforced by strategic capacity expansions from players such as Mitsui Mining & Smelting, which plans to install a new production line for atomised copper powder at its Hikoshima facility by October 2027, increasing capacity by 50%. Simultaneously, Sumitomo Metal Mining is strengthening upstream supply, with FY26 copper output projected to rise 8.2% y-o-y to 0.45 mnt following plant normalisation, reinforcing a clear copper-led growth strategy.

Overall, Japan's copper fabrication sector is increasingly being shaped by next-generation technologies. The continued expansion of AI and data center ecosystems is expected to sustain demand momentum, particularly for copper bars and related products, positioning the industry for steady growth in the near term.

Note:This article has been written in accordance with a content exchange agreement between BigMint and Japan Metal Daily.