Japan Aluminium Re-rollers Operation Keeps Over 90% in 2006

Japanese aluminium re-rollers’ operation rate was averagely 91.6% in 2006, which improved by 0.4 percentage points from 2005, according to Japan Aluminium Association. The operation rate kept over 90% thanks to the firm demand of aluminium rolled products for automobiles.The operation rate downed by 0.3 percentage points to 93.2% for aluminium flat products in 2006 from 2005. Aluminium flat product demand declined for can materials due to cold summer while maintained steady for transporting machines.The operation rate improved by 1.3 percentage points to 89.5% for aluminium extrusions. The demand recovered for sash, the main application of aluminium extrusions, and kept firm for non-construction applications.