Japan Aluminium Can Demand to Show y/y Down in 2008

Japanese domestic demand for aluminium beverage can is estimated at 18.24 billion cans through 2008, down by 1.5% from 2007, announced by Japan Aluminum Can Recycling Association on Friday. Demand showed year-on-year increase in 2007 but would turn down again in 2008. Demand is expected to decrease for beer and bottle-canned beverage.The association estimated domestic demand for aluminium beverage can was 18.52 billion cans through 2007, up by 0.9% or 160 million cans from 2006. Demand was supported by hot and long summer in 2007.This year Japanese 4 major beer makers expect their beer sales, including low-molt beer and other miscellaneous sparkling alcohol, would decrease by 0.9% year-on-year. As to non-alcohol beverages, more PET bottles are used than aluminium cans currently. Aluminium can export is forecasted to become 240 million cans less than import in 2008. Japanese aluminium can export was less than import in 2007 as well.In the USA, demand for aluminium beverage can was 100.3 billion cans per year in 2007, down by 1.1% from 2006. Demand sustained 100 billion cans but represent year-to-year decrease due to demand decline for non-alcohol beverages.