2014 started slowly but showed strength in the market in the latter half of the year. Estimated apparent consumption of Thailand's tinplate and tin free steel for the year has grown for the first time in a 4 year-span, owing to a strong increase mainly in the marine product sector. The year's estimated consumption was approximately 590,000 tons (2013: 556,000 tons), due largely to a boom in canned tuna packing activity.