Japan’s NSSC lifts Dec-Feb 300-series rod prices

Nippon Steel Stainless Steel Corp (NSSC), Japan’s largest stainless producer, has decided to lift its December-February list prices for 300-series wire rod (January-March roll) to reflect higher nickel prices, the company confirmed on December 22. The price for 304 grade wire rods will be higher by Yen 15,000/tonne ($145/t), but that for NSSC’s 400-series rods will remain unchanged.

NSSC last changed its 300-series rod prices for September-November sales by adding Yen 20,000/t but for that sales period too, it kept prices unchanged for 400-series rod, as previously reported. NSSC does not reveal its list prices. Most business for stainless rods in Japan is transacted on individual contract basis, with very little volume