Japan Die Casting Demand to Rise by 3.9% in F2008

Japanese die casting demand will increase by 3.9% to record 1.228 million tonnes in fiscal 2008 started April from fiscal 2007 due to higher demand for aluminium die casting, announced by Japan Die Casting Association on Monday. The association expects the demand increases due to higher demand from China and developing countries despite of potential lower export for USA when US automobile industry slows downs the production activity. Japanese makers’ order receipt keeps increasing after the volume reached 1 million tonnes in fiscal 2004. Japanese aluminium die casting demand will increase by 4% in fiscal 2008 from fiscal 2007 due to automakers’ firm export activity including parts. Japanese automakers are expected to keep high level production at US transplants despite of slower US economy. The aluminium die casting demand is expected to increase when automakers use more aluminium die casting parts to reduce the weight. The association expects the demand increases by 3% for the first half of fiscal 2008 and by 5% in second half.