Japan Magnesium Demand Hits Record 46,800t in 2006

The Japan Magnesium Association announced Japanese domestic magnesium demand increased by 1.8% to record 46,811 tonnes in 2006 from 2005, which represented year-to-year increase for the first time since 2004. Domestic magnesium supply increased by 5.4% to 50,405 tonnes in 2006 from 2005, which recovered over 50,000 tonnes but did not exceed the result in 2004.Japanese domestic supply of magnesium ingot and magnesium fabricated product increased by more than 10% in 2006 from 2005, while the supply of magnesium powder and flake decreased. Large growth of magnesium ingot covered the decrease of powder and flake.Magnesium demand maintained favorable for domestic users in 2006, while the export increased slightly to more than 1,000 tonnes. Magnesium demand kept steady for aluminium alloy ingot and information technology related applications.Japan imported magnesium most from China. The import of magnesium ingot from China increased by 9.7% to 36,625 tonnes in 2006 from 2005 and magnesium alloy increased by 12.2% to 11,981 tonnes, while magnesium powder decreased by 7.8% to 10,853 tonnes.