Japan Secondary Aluminium Demand Keeps Strong in April

Japanese domestic production of secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy increased by 3.9% to 92,080 tonnes in April from a year ago while the shipment increased by 4.8% to 92,609 tonnes, announced by Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association on Thursday. Both production and shipment hit the records as April thanks to the active demand for automobiles. The production represented year-to-year increase for 21 months in a row and the shipment for 23 months.The shipment increased mainly for castings and die castings, the main applications of secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy, while the shipment decreased for steel making and secondary aluminium alloy ingot makers. Secondary aluminium demand keeps strong for automobiles and secondary aluminium alloy ingot makers were in full operations in April.Japanese secondary aluminium alloy ingot makers continue active production in May. The makers are expected to maintain high operation in and after June, even though some of domestic automakers reviewed their output plan down due to slow auto sales in domestic market.