Japan Secondary Alloyed Aluminium Output Hits Record in 1H

Japanese secondary alloyed aluminium output increased by 4.8% record to 550,547 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2006, announced by Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association on Tuesday. The shipment increased by 5.8% to record 555,876 tonnes under strong demand for automobile. The shipment increased for all industries including export in the first half from same period of 2006. The shipment increased by 8.3% to 307,490 tonnes for die-castings due to strong demand for automobile. The shipment increased to 37,154 tonnes for sheet and to 33,955 tonnes for extrusion, both of which increased by 2.2%. The makers operate at almost full capacity in July when the automobile demand turned into increase again after temporally slump. The alloy demand is expected to keep firm when the die-casting makers increase the output to meet higher demand for parts for offshore site of automakers though some interests concerned the consumption could decrease due to stronger demand for small car than standard sized car. The output decreased for extrusion due to slower construction demand in the first half from same period of 2006 while the sheet output decreased due to lower demand for can. The alloy shipment could decrease for those applications.