Japan Aluminium Demand Hits Record in F2006

Japanese aluminium demand increased by 2.3% to record 4.457 million tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Friday. The demand reached the record when the higher automotive demand covered lower demand for can materials and export and slump construction demand improved. The die-casting demand increased by 4.2% to 1.082 million tonnes and the castings demand increased by 4.0% to 434,454 tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005. The rolled products demand increased by 1.6% to 2.18 million tonnes. The other aluminium demand including forgings and electric wire was also firm except for powder. The automotive demand increased by 3.8% to 1.653 million tonnes in fiscal 2006 from fiscal 2005 lifting the total demand. The demand increased by 1.1% to 154,571 tonnes for foil, by 10.6% to 108,093 tonnes for machinery and by 1.0% to 499,489 tonnes for sash while the can materials demand decreased by 0.4% to 426,225 tonnes. The demand was firm for appliances, electronics and communications.