According to figures released by the Japan Ministry of Technology and Industry (METI), and published in the JPMA’s Newsletter No. 394, overall Powder Metallurgy production in Japan increased by 4.5% in 2017 to 97,357 tonnes.

Machine PM parts make up the largest segment at 88,484 tonnes, an increase of 4% over the previous year. Other sectors include PM self-lubricating bearings at 6,741 tonnes (+8.3%), sintered friction materials at 723 tonnes (21.3%), electric current collectors at 72 tonnes (+10.8%) and other PM products at 1,337 tonnes (+12.1%).

The total value of PM production in Japan in 2017 was given by METI as Yen 167,605 billion (US $1.557 billion), representing an increase of 7.8% on the previous year. The statistics also revealed that 94% of machine PM parts are used for automotive applications, and that 63.3% of PM bearings were also used in the automotive sector.

Growth in the production of PM products largely reflects the success of the Japanese automotive industry which in 2017 showed an increase in car production of 6% to reach 8,347 million units of which 4,218 million were exported.

www.jpma.gr.jp | www.meti.go.jp