Japan’s largest tinplate producer, Nippon Steel, is working to win back market share from aluminium in the beverage can market, according to Japan Metal Bulletin. Nippon Steel supplies some 400,000 tpy of tin mill products (tinplate and tin-free steel) in a domestic market of 1.1 million tpy.
The Japanese tinplate market has declined from a peak of 2 Mtpy in 1991 as a result of declining demand for coffee cans and gift items. Sales are expected to be flat at 1.1 M tonnes in both the current financial year (to end-March 2008) and next financial year.
Nippon Steel now aims to regain a share for steel cans in the beverage can market, which is currently dominated by aluminium. Through the Japan Steel Can Recycling Association it is also promoting collection schemes through schools and residents associations.
