ASEAN HR plate demand continued to rise significantly in the last 2 years. In 2012, demand grew by 27% YoY to 4 million tonnes.

However, regional production has stagnated since 2007. Capacity utilization remained very low. Regional production registered 1.3 million tonnes in 2012, a decline of 2.3% YoY. Demand has been mainly served by imports, which increased by 2.8% Yoy to 3.5 million tonnes in 2012.

Demand for HR plate in Indonesia registered the highest volume in the region, at 1.5 million tonnes in 2012, a significant increase of 31% YoY.

However, domestic output stagnated at 805,520 tonnes. Import rose by 20% YoY to 888,222 tonnes in 2012. Most of the demand for hot rolled plate in Indonesia was to serve the construction sector. Around 30% to 35% of the hot rolled plate import was to meet the needs of the expanding shipbuilding sector in the country.

Thailand

The second largest plate consuming country in the region, enjoyed a moderate growth rate of 9% YoY in hot rolled plate consumption in 2012, at 601,194 tonnes. Domestic production increased by 5% YoY to 388,931 tonnes. Import rose by 3.9% YoY to 227,216 tonnes while export dropped by half to 14,953 tonnes.

Philippines

Demand for hot rolled plate was entirely served by import which surged robustly by 27% YoY to 559,474 tonnes in 2012, the third highest volume of demand in the region. Around 70% of the import was to serve the shipbuilding industry and the balance the construction sector.

Vietnam

Plate demand registered 538,000 tonnes, a moderate increase of 7% YoY in 2012. Around 60% of the import was to serve the construction sector and the rest for the shipbuilding sector.

Malaysia

Demand for hot rolled plate increased marginally by 4% YoY to 441,360 tonnes in 2012. Domestic output declined significantly by 23% YoY to 151,871 tonnes while import rose sharply by 16% YoY to 331,052 tonnes.

Singapore

The largest importer of hot rolled plate in the region, experienced a significant decline of demand in hot rolled plate, by half to 329,054 tonnes in 2012. Import dropped from 1,223,501 tonnes in 2011 to 955,829 tonnes in 2012. Meanwhile, export rose by 5.3% YoY to 626,775 tonnes in 2012.