News

PM part production in China is continuing to grow, with figures showing the accumulated total for the first 9 months of 2011 reported to be 9.2% ahead of the same period for 2010, at 110,005 tonnes.

However, China’s PM part producers saw output fall by 34.4% in the third quarter of 2011 compared with the previous quarter, with production 8.7% lower than the same period in 2010.

According to the China Machinery Powder Metallurgy Association (CMPMA), production of PM parts totalled 34,136 tonnes in the quarter ending September 30, 2011 compared with 45,892 tonnes in the second quarter 2011.

The sharp fall could, however, be attributed to the fewer number of Chinese PM companies which reported for the quarter - 44 instead of the 53 previously reporting.

Exports down for year

Chinese exports of PM parts have been slowing down in 2011, with a reported 16.7% decline in the first 9 months. Exports of PM parts make up around 10% of production and sales in China.