Sumitomo Light Metal Expects Sales Growth for Al, Cu Products

Sumitomo Light Metal Industries plans to increase the sales of aluminium plates, extrusions and copper tubes in fiscal 2008 started April compared with fiscal 2007 in both value and volume. The firm aims the aluminium plate sales at 342,000 tonnes or 145 billion yen in F2008, increasing by 3.7% in volume and by 2.9% in value year-on-year. Aluminium extrusion sales are expected to increase by 6.3% to 48,000 tonnes or by 1.5% to 34.5 billion yen in F2008 from F2007. As to copper tubes, the firm aims to increase the sales by 2.4% to 59,000 tonnes or by 4.2% to 61 billion yen.The firm plans to increase the sales of aluminium plates for air conditioner fins, automotive heat exchangers, cap materials, IT related applications and printing plates. As to aluminium extrusions, the firm aims to increase the sales especially for automotive heat exchangers since the firm recently expanded the output capacity. Copper tube sales are expected to increase for air conditioners, heat pump water heaters and exports despite of slow demand from constructions and capacitors.